In Coimbatore, locals detained seven lorries involved in illegal mining near Kattandhi Hill's base at Vinoba Thana land early today. Police have now seized the lorries.
Coimbatore: In a substantial local intervention, residents of Vinoba Thana land, situated in the northern part of Selvapuram near the base of Kattandhi Hill, apprehended seven lorries engaged in illegal mining activities early this morning. The area falls under Koodalur municipality within North Taluka, known for its mountain protection jurisdiction. Allegedly, two JCB machines accompanied the seven tipper lorries as they illegally excavated and transported minerals.
The local community, together with the Kattandhi Hill Wildlife Protection Association, reported the incident to the revenue and police departments, leading to the swift arrival of surveillance teams. Subsequently, police detained the lorries and took them to the local station for further investigation.
This recent incident follows prior complaints of continuous illegal mining even during assembly election days, contradicting high court orders and government regulations. Despite past assurances, neither the revenue department nor the forest department has taken adequate steps to halt these activities, which reportedly occur along essential elephant migration routes, raising significant environmental and legal concerns.
The residents have repeatedly voiced concerns over the insufficient patrolling and lack of enforcement in the area, criticizing the ongoing negligence that has led to repeated legal violations in Kattandhi Hill's vicinity.
The local community, together with the Kattandhi Hill Wildlife Protection Association, reported the incident to the revenue and police departments, leading to the swift arrival of surveillance teams. Subsequently, police detained the lorries and took them to the local station for further investigation.
This recent incident follows prior complaints of continuous illegal mining even during assembly election days, contradicting high court orders and government regulations. Despite past assurances, neither the revenue department nor the forest department has taken adequate steps to halt these activities, which reportedly occur along essential elephant migration routes, raising significant environmental and legal concerns.
The residents have repeatedly voiced concerns over the insufficient patrolling and lack of enforcement in the area, criticizing the ongoing negligence that has led to repeated legal violations in Kattandhi Hill's vicinity.