Coimbatore: It is a common sight to lorries loaded with bricks coming from the areas adjoining the Western Ghats of Coimbatore district such as Chinna Thadagam, Nanjundapuram, Pannimadai, Somayampalayam, and No.24 Veerapandi.
Coimbatore: It is a common sight to lorries loaded with bricks coming from the areas adjoining the Western Ghats of Coimbatore district such as Chinna Thadagam, Nanjundapuram, Pannimadai, Somayampalayam, and No.24 Veerapandi. The brick kilns that operate in these areas not only spoil the natural resources but also affec humans.
Permission for mining was given to uncultivable lands only, but the public in the areas witness illegal land mining and mineral exploitation constantly. Digging 20-30 feet has caused depletion of and groundwater level and soil degradation. The open pits could cause wildlife to fall and die. Until 20 years ago, water was available at 3 or 5 feet but now it is required to dig at least 900 feet for water. More than 600 lorries are said to be operated every day in the forest. Social activists have warned that the smoke from these kilns could cause suffocation, asthma, lung damage, allergies and cancer.
Permission from 6 departments is needed to set up brick kilns. The Right to Information Act has found that people with financial strength have set up kilns without permission in their own fields. Social activist Ganesan said, "Biodiversity and mineral resources are being plundered right in front of our eyes. Kilns have been operating for more than 15 years without obtaining permission from any of the departments such as Mineral Resources department, Revenue department, Forest department, Agriculture department and Pollution Control department. 195 brick kilns ranging from 6000 sq.ft. to 3 lakh sq.ft. are operating where north indian workers are employed for meagre salaries".
He added that the lands here are definitely favourable for agriculture as they are located in the foothills. It raises a question as to how the agriculture department allowed these kilns to function.
He said, "In Mangarai, No. 24 Veerapandi Revenue Village, the rainwater travels through the valley and the mountain water travels through more than 15 waterways such as the Sanganur stream and the Kowsika river and finally reaches Chinnavedampatti Lake and Saravanampatti Lake. This has benefited nearly 45,000 acres of agricultural land, but the mineral plunderers have turned the valleys and streams into roads by filling them with mud. During the rainy season, rainwater seeps into the villages with no waterway to travel to lakes. The brick kilns have gone up to 30-40 feet deep. Hence the overflowing rainwater with no way to travel through streams enters the villages. This has led to the streams in the northern side going dry.
Saravanampatti Lake is spread over an area of 167 acres, but due to the exploiters, all the waterways have been destroyed and there is no way for the water to get to the lake for the past 15 years.
No permission has been granted by the government for sand mining in Thadagam. Brick kilns here are operating illegally. As a result, the Western Ghats and the tribes living there are on the verge of extinction. The livelihood of more than 50,000 people has become questionable for the sake of selfishness of about 100 people. Activists question as to why Tamil Nadu government kept silent when all government officials declared that this is an illegal business that violates a slew of environmental rules.
He said, "We have filed a case in Chennai High Court in this regard. Though the Coimbatore District Collector has ordered the closure of brick kilns there are 10 new factories that have been constructed and are in operation."
Velu Naicker, State Secretary, Tamil Nadu Agricultural Association said, "Over 120 feet of soil on 3800 acres of land, including public lands, temple lands and rural lands under the Hill Area Conservation Authority have been exploited. During the rainy season all the waterways are blocked with no way to reach the canals. So the ditches fill up and seep into the city. The 167-acre Chinnavedampatti Lake has not received any water for 16 years. The entire northern part of Coimbatore is being turned into a desert because of this. In Coimbatore, all the ponds in the south fill up when it rains, but no rain clouds form in the north and the areas here are turning into deserts".
He further added that, "Analysts appointed by the Environment Minister from Delhi to study the area have been surveying and reporting on this. We have also sent photographic evidence to the President, the Prime Minister, the Union Environment Ministry, the Indian Minerals and Geology Department about the exploitation of mineral resources in the region. According to the 2016 National Green Tribunal, HACA does not allow the construction of brick kilns or canals on land. Without worrying about all this, the Tamil Nadu Environment Minister has issued a statement that even over 100 feet of soil can be taken from HACA lands. The relevant departmental officials, people in administrative service, the ruling party, the opposition, all have given permission by receiving bribes. "
He insisted that a special committee should inspect the area with the permission of the Union Ministry. He added that not even a handful of soil could be taken from the neighbouring state of Kerala without the government allowing it and only in TN, mineral resources are being exploited by bribing officials. He worriedly added that the Western Ghats would disappear if the exploitation continues.