District Collector to visit site and submit report

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has directed the Ernakulam District Collector to inspect a site at the Puthenvelikkara panchayat where soil is allegedly being excavated excessively and to report to the court.

The court gave the directive on a writ petition filed by Antony Putherickal. According to him, the panchayat had prohibited excavation of soil at the Mahacherry Kunnu area.

He alleged that when the ban order issued by the panchayat was in force, sanction was given by the District Collector for excavating soil. The local people’s agitation against the removal of soil had been suppressed by the police, he alleged.

The owner of the site obtained a police protection order from the High Court as if he was removing the top soil. The removal of soil would cause severe ecological damage to the entire area. The petitioner alleged that the owner obtained the police protection order, suppressing the ban order issued by the panchayat.

The petition sought a direction to geologists to assess the damage caused to the Mahacherry Kunnu and take remedial measures to protect the ecology of the area.

The petitioner sought a declaration that no person shall be allowed to remove soil in the hilly area unless a written sanction from the persons who occupied the other portions was obtained or a proper environment impact assessment was held.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/01/stories/2008010155410600.htm