The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Kerala government to file a comprehensive response to a joint committee report which suggests that the current regulation requiring a 50-metre distance between stone quarries and natural or man-made structures is inadequate for safety. The NGT’s directive comes after the report, prepared by a committee led by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), highlighted several environmental and safety concerns.
Background and the Committee’s Findings
The joint committee was established following an NGT order to assess the safe distance between stone quarries and habitations. This issue gained prominence following a devastating landslide in Wayanad, which raised concerns about the impact of quarrying activities on the environment and public safety.
The committee’s study involved nine quarries across Kerala, during which they gathered inputs from local residents and experts. A total of 220 grievances and suggestions were collected through an online survey. The state was divided into three zones for a thorough analysis, and the committee conducted 91 blasts to measure ground vibrations and other environmental impacts.
Key Findings:
- Ground Vibrations: In five instances, the ground vibration data exceeded permissible limits within a 50 to 100-metre zone.
- Noise Pollution: The study found noise pollution in an influence zone extending up to 150 metres from the blasting site.
- Dust Pollution: Particulate matter emissions were significant up to a distance of 100 metres from the blasting zone.
Recommendations:
The committee recommended increasing the safe distance from quarries to 150 metres as a noise influence zone and 100 metres for dust emissions, arguing that these distances would better protect the environment and public health.
Opposition and Government Response
The report faced strong opposition from quarry owners, who argued that the 50-metre rule has been in place since 1967 without any major incidents. They claimed that the committee was unduly influenced by “local objectors” and “pseudo-environmentalists.”
The Kerala government also contested the report, pointing out that the committee’s study was based on only nine quarries out of the nearly 500 operational in the state. The government questioned the validity of the vibration and particulate matter studies, urging the NGT to reject the committee’s findings.
NGT’s Directive
The NGT principal bench, chaired by Prakash Shrivastava, noted the amicus curiae’s submission that the Kerala government’s response did not address all the issues raised in the petition. Consequently, the Tribunal directed the state government to conduct a more thorough examination and provide a detailed response.
Conclusion
The ongoing debate surrounding the safe distance between quarries and habitations in Kerala continues to raise concerns about environmental protection and public safety. The NGT’s directive to the Kerala government underscores the importance of addressing these issues comprehensively, considering both scientific evidence and the concerns of local communities.
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