Local residents under the aegis of Karimanal Ghanana Virudha Ekopana Samithi will intensify their protest against mineral-sand mining at Thottappally.
Suresh Kumar S., chairman of the Ekopana Samithi said the indiscriminate mineral sand-mining had increased the intensity of sea erosion in the area.
"Mineral sand-mining continues unabated at Thottappally pozhi (sandbar at sea mouth) and Thottappally harbour. If it continues like this, five grama panchayats- Purakkad, Thrikkunnapuzha, Arattupuzha, Ambalapuzha North and Ambalapuzha South will soon be wiped off the map in the near future. Already a number of houses were destroyed and several families got displaced by sea erosion. The government should immediately halt all mining activities at Thottappally and take measures to protect the shoreline," Mr. Kumar said.
