Kerala govt. colludes with quarry lobby to destroy environment: SC

 Supreme Court on Friday slammed Kerala government for playing hand in glove with quarry lobby in state. 

While hearing an appeal against the Kerala High Court judgement making environment impact assessment (EIA) for quarries mandatory,  the apex court obseved that the state government was taking sides with the quarrying lobby. 

The quarry owners questioned the High Court verdict making EIA mandatory for quarries less than five hectares. 

The government counsel informed the court that mandatory EIA would bring construction sector to a grinding halt. Then the court questioned the government's stand and observed that it was colluding with the quarry lobby. It also said that the government should take an independent stand.  

Taking a different view and opposed the state government and the quarry owners in the case. All quarries should obtain EIA clearance, it clarified. 

The SC directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests to file a detailed response by next Friday. 

• Quarry lobby
• Kerala environment
• EIA for quarries