more-in Hillside farmers owing allegiance to various farm movements in the district have decided to resume their protest against the illegal operation of granite quarries and crusher units in Vadakara taluk. Farm organisation leaders say a majority of the granite quarries and crushers are located in ecologically sensitive areas (ESA), where farmers are facing the threat of eviction. Leaders of We Farm, one of the organisations protesting against quarry operations, say the Kavilumpara grama panchayat is the worst-hit due to the irresponsible exploitation of natural resources. The frequent movement of heavily loaded trucks to and from quarrying sites have left the panchayat roads in bad shape, they add. Water sources Residents complain that a number of potable water sources in the rural area are drying up due to unrestrained mining activities. Several small hillocks, which were earlier feeding the local water sources, have already been flattened, they allege. Jijo Thomas, a leader of We Farm movement, says Kavilumpara village has been witnessing frequent landslips as a result of rampant soil mining and quarrying. In addition to indefinite protests, we will move the court to stop large scale quarrying in land that comes under the ESA category, he adds. The Peruvampoyil Prakruthi Samrakshana Samiti, a collective of both environmental activists and settler farmers, is also on the warpath against the illegal operation of quarries and crusher units in Karassery and Kodiyathur panchayats. Weathered sand particles from crushers continue to be a big source of air pollution in the panchayats, where lung diseases have been reported among residents. A leader of the Samiti has alleged that quarry operators have been threatening local residents and environmental activists. Recently, an elderly woman and her grandchildren who questioned the pollution of a river were assaulted by quarry workers, he adds. Issuing of permits However, the local panchayat authorities have denied the operation of illegal quarries within their limits. They say permits were given after proper screening and in keeping with the guidelines of the Mining and Geology department. Panchayat boards are monitoring the operation of quarries, and local action committees may approach the board in case they notice any violations, they add.

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