The National Green Tribunal has reportedly admitted a petition seeking directions with regard to the alleged illegal mining of coloured granite, stone crushing and stone polishing industries and the pollution caused by them in the villages of the joint Karimnagar district.
The southern bench of the apex environmental tribunal also issued notices to a total 13 respondents, including Union Ministry of Environment & Forests, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, State Mining authorities, State Pollution Control Board, Agriculture, Health departments and district administration, apart from granite mining companies.
The petitioner, social activist and state BJP leader Perala Shekhar Rao, contended that about 1000 mines are being legally/illegally operated in the area. They were permitted during the undivided State of Andhra Pradesh without any cumulative environmental or social impact assessment, and are continuing to operate after formation of Telangana as separate State.
