VILLUPURAM: More than 2,000 farmers living near the Edaikkal forest area in Villupuram district have demanded a total ban on illegal crusher quarries operating in the region. At least 10 people hailing from villages such as Edaikkal, Thirupeyarthakka, Puthukazhani, Siruvathur, P Malayanur and other remote hamlets who rely on farming have apparently lost their livelihood and were forced to migrate to industrial areas like Chennai, Coimbatore, Tirupur and northern states in search of jobs following the growth of such quarries in the region.
Ten years ago, the villages were surrounded by lush forests and mountains, but they now appear barren affecting wild animals too, the locals claimed. The decline apparently began after some multinational companies and local crusher owners joined hands with politicians. They allegedly dug more than 300 feet and plundered up to `3,000 crore worth blue metal in the past seven years. The Mining and Pollution Board permits quarrying only up to 30 feet.
Following rampant quarrying, water resources in the region dried up and the villages became unfit for agricultural activities. Most of the villagers developed breathing-related diseases due to environmental pollution, locals said.
They pointed out that after the quarrying activities began, over 5,000 acres of farmland face water scarcity and added that at least 10 bovine animals die in a month due to it. If the situation persists, animals, including deer, monkeys, peacocks and rare species of birds living in the 15 sq km Edaikkal forest would perish, they warned.
Speaking to Express,
M Manoharan, district environmental engineer, said he had already received a complaint from the villagers regarding the issue. However, the Environmental and Pollution Control Department has authority to only provide clearance to operate the crushers and quarries. Regulation and maintenance of quarries are under the jurisdiction of the Mining and Revenue Department, he said.