The Madras High Court Bench here today ordered notice to government officials on a petition seeking to halt "illegal" sand mining in Tamirabarani river under the guise of desilting the Srivaikuntam Reservoir at Thozhappan Pannai in Tuticorin District.
A bench comprising Justices S.Nagamuthu and V.S.Ravi ordered notice to the authorities, including the Tuticorin District Collector and PWD officials, on a petition by a farmer.
Petitioner K.Ulaguthevar charged that desilting was being done violating all guidelines and regulations of the National Green Tribunal's southern bench, issued while allowing the desilting, and there was no supervision.
Irrespective of political affiliation, political functionaries, government officials and panchayat Presidents had come together to allow the illegal quarrying, he alleged.
Claiming that there was no need to desilt the dam, he said the intention was only to quarry and sell the sand.
If the desilting was done without regulation, the river would lose its natural face, he submitted.
