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Mass petition signed by the residents of Meenkunnam (Arakuzha village) and Maniyamkallu.
 Mass petition signed by the residents of Meenkunnam (Arakuzha village) and Maniyamkallu (East Marady, Marady village) of Muvattupuzha Thaluk.

December 2013

We have been residing along with our families at Meenkunnam and Maniyamkallu areas of Arakuzha village and Marady village. We are facing geological and health issues due to a number of granite quarries and rock crushers operating nearby. This granite quarry was started at the Maniyamkallu area of East Marady, Marady village. This illegal Granite Quarry has then been progressed to an approximate extent of 3½ acres of productive farmland towards survey nos. 85/3A1, 3A2, 3B, 3B2, 4A2, 100/4A1, A2, and 5A2 in and around the surrounding premises of Arakuzha village. This Granite Quarry, on the north–west part of Meenkunnam, is operating under the ownership of Mr. Shanz Kochukudy and there also exist a Rock crusher and Manufactured–sand unit under the ownership of Mrs. Lally Shanz, wife of Mr. Shanz Kochukudy.

People of Meenkunnam and Maniyankallu normally rely on agricultural farming for their livelihood. Mass quarrying is done at these places as deep as 50 meters thereby leveling the hilly terrain and altering the geo-physiological characteristics of the land. Unrestrained exploitation in the densely populated regions of Meenkunnam without conducting serious geographical studies results in the depletion of water table, dry wells, yield loss of cash crops such as Rubber and Coconut, and lung ailments induced by silica dust. These are major causes of concern for the inhabitants of Meenkunnam and Maniyankallu. Meenkunnam is a place surrounded by hills on 3 sides and would come under the definition of Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). The residents are experiencing water scarcity which became an acute issue in the years since this quarrying has started. A water tank has been built long ago serves the purpose of distributing water to the neighborhood is adjacent to the big hill called ‘Mayiladum Para’. Mr. Shanz has said to have been trying to get permission from the authorities to obtain ‘Mayiladum Para’ on lease for the purpose of quarrying. His efforts to obtain lease agreement from the government include hiding facts about the water tank and trying to influence government authorities. If he succeeds in getting lease, health and even life of the residents of Meenkunnam will prove to be in great danger.

Moreover, two other Granite Quarries are in full-fledged operation in the south-east part of Meenkunnam. Mr. Raju Jacob Koovaplackal is the owner of one quarry and the other quarry along with rock crusher is under the ownership of Mr. Saji Madekkal. Operations from these three quarries using explosives and drills, rock crushers and other heavy equipment have become a significant source for man–made tremors resulting in cracks on buildings such as our homes, nearby convent and church. People’s lives are very much threatened by the operation of these quarries. Huge trucks plying through village roads, rocks flying in the blasts, and silica dust from the crusher units affect public health and life in the locality. Satellite earth station owned by the central government is situated near to Meenkunnam. In addition to that, quarries operating on the south-east part of Meenkunnam pollute the streams in the area thereby bringing difficulties to the residents of Aroor who rely these streams for bathing and doing laundry. Famous Pieta grotto adjacent to M.C road and church, water falls, and the ‘Mayiladum Para’ for which the lease application is made are the main tourist attractions of Meenkunnam.

The above said three quarries are operating illegally and are quarrying beyond the allowed limit specified by various governing bodies. Their actions are offensive, punishable and criminal in nature. These quarries pose a great threat to the normal living conditions of the residents of Meenkunnam and surroundings. Residents are experiencing an array of health issues such as cough, skin and lung diseases. Greater damage has already been caused to the home and properties of local residents. Taking all these into consideration, we request you to take strong actions against the owners of these illegal granite quarrying businesses and to shut down quarrying operations in Meenkunnam and its premises.

Illegal quarries in Meenkunnam do not employ any safety measures while using explosives. The security of the neighboring residents is not taken into consideration and big chunks of rocks can be seen flying into the houses and nearby properties which are only 100 meters away from the quarrying area. Because of these big flying stones from the explosion and the huge noise from these quarries, people especially the elderly and children are very scared of the impending danger. Noise from explosions and the usage of machineries including bulldozers and stone breakers in these quarries make it difficult for the children to concentrate on their studies and in no way allows them to take rest and feel relaxed for a while.

As these quarries continue to operate, it infringes on the basic living rights of the residents of Meenkunnam and Maniyankallu. Because of these illegal quarrying, families of the residents including children and elderly are deprived of the basic right for clean air, drinking water, and security of life. Politician–official–quarry operator nexus behind this thriving granite quarry business helps the quarry owners to disregard the mounting public protests and environmental concerns and to go on with unrestrained quarrying. This has led to a very difficult situation where the people of Meenkunnam are at the verge of committing suicide.

Therefore, we collectively request you to take necessary steps to ensure the security of the life for the residents of Meenkunnam and to protect the environment so that we all will be able to continue living without any hindrance from the illegally operating granite quarries and rock crushers.