Madras HC seeks details of usage of river, m-sand

Chennai: Pointing out that without knowing the exact volume of sand required for construction activities, it seems that all the natural resources are over exploited, especially, while other states are safeguarding their natural resources, the Madras high court has directed the Kanyakumari district collector to file a report giving details relating to requirement and usage of river sand and m-sand in Tamil Nadu.

A division bench comprising Justices N. Kirubakaran and S.S.Sundar gave the directive on a petition, which sought a direction to the authorities to stop the illegal quarrying at Kulavimalai hills also called as Velimalai Hills at Kalkulam taluk, Kanyakumari district.

 According to petitioner, M-sand and jelly were manufactured by blasting the hills. A temple which was situated in the top of the hill was destroyed. It was being smuggled to other states. Therefore, he has filed the present petition.

The bench said a close scrutiny of the photographs submitted by the petitioner would show that it was not only destruction of hills, but the vegetation including trees in and around that area were destroyed. Therefore, there shall be an order stay as prayed for, until further orders, the bench added.

 Pointing out that it was not known as to what was the requirement of sand or m-sand in Tamil Nadu, the bench directed the Kanyakumari district collector to submit a report before the court giving details as to what was the requirement of river sand as well as the m-sand for the government for the past 5 years, what was the volume of sand quarried in the state, what was the volume of m-sand manufactured in the state, was it a fact that river sand and m-sand were being smuggled into other states, which rightly safeguarding their natural resources, how many cases regarding smuggling of m-sand and river sand to other state have been filed and what was the stage of those cases, what was the income that was derived by the state government by exploitation of river sand as well as m-sand, why not the state government allow all the private parties who were interested to import the sand or m-sand and by giving waiver of local cess, so that our rivers and hills/hillocks could be preserved, what was the every requirement of sand or m-sand by the private sector in Tamil Nadu, what was the every requirement of sand or m-sand for construction activities by the state government and other sector undertakings and how many hills or hillocks were allowed to be exploited for manufacturing of m-sand. Posting the matter after three weeks for filing the report, the bench said, "It has to be remembered by one and all that unless the natural resources are protected, the future generation will not forgive us".