Coimbatore: The continuous allegations raised against illegal sand mining by brick kilns at Thadagam, here has prompted the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control board (TNPCB) on Wednesday to commence a series of inspections to ascertain the quality of air and discharge of pollutants in and around the Thadagam Valley.
Coimbatore: The continuous allegations raised against illegal sand mining by brick kilns at Thadagam, here has prompted the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control board (TNPCB) on Wednesday to commence a series of inspections to ascertain the quality of air and discharge of pollutants in and around the Thadagam Valley.
"With more than 200 brick kilns operating in Thadagam Valley, each kiln is estimated to produce 2.5 lakh bricks, per day. The valley is completely devastated and has been facing severe pollution", allege the residents who complain of respiratory ailments due to the round-the-clock smoke emnating from the kilns.
Activists who have been protesting against the kilns stated that even in patta land, red sand cannot be dug up beyond 2 metres or 6.8 feet. However, in the Thadagam valley, sand has been dug up to 80 to 120 feet, which is appalling. Since the issue has been widely discussed and people have begun alleging inaction by the government, the officers from TNPCB arrived today at Thadagam Valley to review the situation.
Around nine gadgets to detect air and noise pollution in and around Thadagam has been installed by the TNPCB officers from the city and Chennai who are expected to continue monitoring the issue for a month.
As per the TNPCB, with the help of monitoring gadgets, the board will monitor air and noise in the region continuously for eight hours every day to analyse the pollution level in the region.
Ramesh, Assistant engineer and Selvaraj, Assistant Director of TNPCB, Coimbatore region were present during the inspection.
"With more than 200 brick kilns operating in Thadagam Valley, each kiln is estimated to produce 2.5 lakh bricks, per day. The valley is completely devastated and has been facing severe pollution", allege the residents who complain of respiratory ailments due to the round-the-clock smoke emnating from the kilns.
Activists who have been protesting against the kilns stated that even in patta land, red sand cannot be dug up beyond 2 metres or 6.8 feet. However, in the Thadagam valley, sand has been dug up to 80 to 120 feet, which is appalling. Since the issue has been widely discussed and people have begun alleging inaction by the government, the officers from TNPCB arrived today at Thadagam Valley to review the situation.
Around nine gadgets to detect air and noise pollution in and around Thadagam has been installed by the TNPCB officers from the city and Chennai who are expected to continue monitoring the issue for a month.
As per the TNPCB, with the help of monitoring gadgets, the board will monitor air and noise in the region continuously for eight hours every day to analyse the pollution level in the region.
Ramesh, Assistant engineer and Selvaraj, Assistant Director of TNPCB, Coimbatore region were present during the inspection.