Plea to preserve, protect Onankaradu
The Madras High Court has issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu government regarding a petition to protect the Onankaradu hill in Madurai. The petitioner argues that the hill holds significant ecological, hydrological, and archaeological value and should be shielded from stone quarrying operations.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing tension between industrial resource extraction and the preservation of local biodiversity and cultural heritage sites.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday ordered notice to the State government on the public interest litigation petition that sought a direction to preserve and protect Onankaradu/Perumal Malai in Peraiyur in Madurai district and restrain stone quarry operations.
A Division Bench of Justices P. Velmurugan and K.K. Ramakrishnan was hearing the petition filed by Nammalvar Eyarkkai Pathukapu Sangam represented by its president G. Pethanan of Peraiyur in Madurai district.
The petitioner said the hill has considerable ecological and biodiversity significance. During field study and documentation undertaken by persons associated with the association, 47 different species of birds were observed and documented.
He said the importance of the hill was not confined to its ecological and hydrological significance. Various features of potential historical and archaeological significance had been noticed.
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