Kochi: The Kerala High Court has reiterated the importance of the state government reconsidering its policy on the grant of mining or quarrying leases and permits. The court opined that the government should take serious note of the dangers that can result from an indiscriminate grant of mining leases and permits and adopt pro-active measures to avoid such eventualities in future. The court was considering a batch of petitions regarding quarrying at Mookkunnimala area in Thiruvanantha-puram district. The court held that the government should examine, on a case-to-case basis, whether there is a need to grant a quarrying lease or permit in Mookkunnimala area or to renew such permits taking into account the availability of natural resources.
The data required for such a scrutiny also should be collected and analysed by the government itself, rather than depending on a report submitted by the project proponent, which could well be a self-serving one. According to a study conducted by the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, there are 5924 quarries in the state covering an area of 7156.6 hectares. The study found that 78 quarries were situated in earthquake- prone areas while 79 are situated near protected forests area and 1378 are near the reserve forest area. Central Kerala ranks the highest in terms of the number of quarries and the area has 2438 quarries in 3610.4 hectares. North Kerala has 1969 quarries covering an area of 1872 hectares. South Kerala has 1517 quarries in 1675 hectares.
