Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu Farmers Protection Association has submitted two separate representations to TVK-led govt, seeking to amend a policy that permits actions detrimental to environment and withdraw another policy that indirectly encourages illegal mining activities in the state.In a petition addressed to natural resources minister T K Prabhu, the association’s state secretary, R. Sathish Kumar, sought amendment of govt order (Ms.) no. 23 dated Feb 23, 2022, particularly clause IV-A 35-F(3)(L) that permits abandoned quarry pits to be used for dumping solid waste. The petition was submitted to the minister on Friday.Sathish said several local bodies were misusing the provision to dump unsegregated municipal waste in abandoned quarries without scientific safeguards, leading to groundwater contamination, air pollution, destruction of rainwater harvesting structures and health hazards to nearby residents. “Many abandoned quarries naturally function as groundwater recharge zones. Their conversion into garbage dumping sites could permanently damage water resources.“The association argued that the clause was inconsistent with the solid waste management rules, environment protection act and constitutional provisions relating to environmental protection and public health. It urged the govt to prohibit dumping of unsegregated waste in quarry pits and implement strict scientific waste management practices.In a separate representation, the association demanded withdrawal of govt order (Ms) no. 03 dated Jan 22, 2026, relating to regularization of illegal mining activities. The petition claimed the order would indirectly encourage illegal quarrying, corruption, environmental destruction and misuse of explosives.The representation said the penalties proposed under the scheme were disproportionately low compared to the environmental and revenue losses caused by illegal mining. The association called for the formation of a special monitoring committee and a fast-track tribunal to investigate illegal mining complaints, recover environmental compensation and prosecute offenders under the mining, environmental and explosives laws.
