Activists and farmers oppose new stone quarry at Thenpazhanji
A public hearing for a proposed stone quarry in Thenpazhanji village was disrupted by protests from farmers and environmentalists concerned about ecological damage and procedural irregularities. Opponents argued that the quarry violates buffer zone norms and threatens local water resources and public health.
Why it matters
The conflict illustrates the tension between industrial development and environmental conservation, as well as the importance of transparency in public administrative hearings.
A public hearing for a proposed rough stone and gravel quarry in Thenpazhanji village turned chaotic on Wednesday, as intense opposition from farmers and environmentalists clashed with support for the project.
Residents criticised the administration, saying inadequate public notice had kept most of the affected villagers away.
Farmers said existing quarries had already encroached on water channels, draining the 150-acre Thenpazhanji tank and damaging local agriculture.
They pointed out that approved residences, temples, burial grounds and waterbodies were located well within the mandatory 300-metre buffer zone, in violation of the norms.
They also highlighted that heavy, uncovered trucks carrying tonnes of material posed a danger on rural roads, while alleged illegal blasting and rampant dust pollution threatened public health.
Further, activist Selvaraj said they had exposed missing statutory reports and manipulated decibel data in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which allegedly showed minimal noise levels.
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