Large-scale granite quarrying in the upland areas of Thamarassery village has raised concerns among residents and environmental activists, who claims that continued unregulated mining amid heightened weather alerts could trigger a major ecological disaster.
The development comes at a time when parts of Kerala are witnessing intense rainfall and orange alerts have been issued in several districts. Residents, mostly farmers, allege quarrying and transportation of mined rock continue unabated despite repeated representations to local administrators and various government departments.
According to residents of Koodaranhi panchayat, quarrying is being carried out in environmentally sensitive areas where large-scale excavation has altered the natural terrain. They fear that heavy rainfall could worsen the situation, increasing the risk of landslides, soil erosion, and flash floods.
Local environmentalists’ collectives have also voiced concern, arguing that unregulated quarrying in hilly regions has already caused significant ecological degradation in many parts of the district. They say that the fragile terrain poses a serious threat to nearby habitations and agricultural land.
P. Augustine, a resident of Koodaranhi panchayat, claims that complaints highlighting the alleged violations have been submitted to the authorities on multiple occasions, seeking swift action. However, he alleges that no effective legal measures have been taken by the Revenue or Geology department to halt the operations.
A retired village official who was earlier at the forefront of studies in ecologically sensitive areas says quarrying in hilly regions should be regularly monitored to avert tragedies. He argues that lessons from past natural disasters should prompt local administrators to adopt a precautionary approach.
Roy Kunnel, a resident of Thamarassery, says residents are seeking not just enforcement of regulations but action to avert possible rain-related incidents. He stresses the need for a scientific approach to hold quarry operators accountable and secure their cooperation in addressing safety threats.
The district administration and mining authorities are yet to issue a detailed response to the complaints raised by upland residents. However, a senior Revenue department official says the District Collector is likely to convene a meeting soon to discuss the issue with local body representatives and leaders of settler farmers’ organisations.
Published – June 04, 2026 12:50 am IST
