The Madras High Court has directed the Coimbatore District Collector to ensure no illegal red soil smuggling occurs in the Western Ghats foothills, following a case hearing on October 14.
Coimbatore: The Madras High Court has instructed the Coimbatore District Collector to ensure that no illegal red soil smuggling is taking place in the foothills of the Western Ghats. This directive came during a hearing of a case related to alleged illegal red soil mining in villages such as Madukkarai, Alanthurai, and Vellimalai in Coimbatore district.
The case, which was heard by a bench comprising Justices N. Sathish Kumar and D. Bharatha Chakravarthy, saw the petitioner's counsel, M. Purushothaman, presenting video evidence of illegal red soil extraction and transportation directly to the judges via video call.
Following this, the judges had previously ordered the Coimbatore District Collector and the District Legal Services Authority to conduct an on-site inspection and submit a report. During today's hearing (Oct. 14), Purushothaman alleged that red soil smuggling continues in various villages of Coimbatore, including Anaimalai, leading to the destruction of elephant corridors.
The Legal Services Authority requested more time to submit a report, stating that they are surveying an area of 600 acres in the Western Ghats foothills regarding the red soil theft. The judges granted an extension until November 4 for the report submission.
Furthermore, the court directed that both the Coimbatore District Collector and the Joint Director of the Department of Geology and Mining must ensure and confirm that no illegal red soil smuggling is occurring in these areas. The case has been adjourned for further hearing.
The High Court's intervention highlights the seriousness of the issue, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent environmental damage and protect wildlife habitats in the Western Ghats region.
The case, which was heard by a bench comprising Justices N. Sathish Kumar and D. Bharatha Chakravarthy, saw the petitioner's counsel, M. Purushothaman, presenting video evidence of illegal red soil extraction and transportation directly to the judges via video call.
Following this, the judges had previously ordered the Coimbatore District Collector and the District Legal Services Authority to conduct an on-site inspection and submit a report. During today's hearing (Oct. 14), Purushothaman alleged that red soil smuggling continues in various villages of Coimbatore, including Anaimalai, leading to the destruction of elephant corridors.
The Legal Services Authority requested more time to submit a report, stating that they are surveying an area of 600 acres in the Western Ghats foothills regarding the red soil theft. The judges granted an extension until November 4 for the report submission.
Furthermore, the court directed that both the Coimbatore District Collector and the Joint Director of the Department of Geology and Mining must ensure and confirm that no illegal red soil smuggling is occurring in these areas. The case has been adjourned for further hearing.
The High Court's intervention highlights the seriousness of the issue, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent environmental damage and protect wildlife habitats in the Western Ghats region.