What is the purpose of the new committee for Thottappally spillway?

The committee will oversee and monitor all aspects of sand or soil mining from the Thottappally spillway after assessing its ecological and environmental impact.

Why was the Thottappally spillway sand removal controversial?

Concerns were raised about potential unregulated mining and the destruction of ecologically sensitive areas, including turtle nesting grounds.

Who will be part of the committee overseeing Thottappally spillway sand mining?

The committee will be headed by the Alappuzha District Collector and include officials and experts from Irrigation, Forest, Wildlife, Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority, local panchayats, and an NGO.

Home / Environment / Court Forms Panel to Oversee Thottappally Spillway Sand Mining

Court Forms Panel to Oversee Thottappally Spillway Sand Mining

18 Dec

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Summary

A committee will oversee all sand mining aspects at Thottappally spillway.
Panel to assess ecological impact before any sand or soil removal.
Court order aims to protect turtle nesting grounds and flood prevention.

Court Forms Panel to Oversee Thottappally Spillway Sand Mining

The Kerala High Court has ordered the constitution of a special committee to regulate sand and soil extraction from the Thottappally spillway. This panel, to be formed within two months, will be headed by the Alappuzha District Collector and comprise experts from relevant government departments and local bodies. Its primary role is to assess the ecological and environmental consequences before any sand removal takes place.

The court's decision stems from petitions challenging prior orders that permitted sand removal for flood mitigation in Kuttanad. Petitioners raised alarms about the potential for unregulated mining and the destruction of a 15-acre ecologically sensitive area, vital nesting grounds for Olive Ridley and Hawksbill turtles.

This judicial intervention seeks to ensure that flood containment efforts at the spillway do not devolve into mere mineral extraction. The committee's oversight is expected to safeguard the environment, particularly sensitive coastal zones and wildlife habitats, while addressing the perennial flooding issues.