Kerala High Court Orders Panel for Ecological Review of Thottappally Sand Mining

The Kerala High Court has mandated the creation of a panel to assess the ecological impact of sand mining at the Thottappally spillway. The panel will include experts to ensure mining activities do not harm the environment, amid concerns of illegal mineral extraction affecting turtle nesting grounds.

The Kerala High Court has issued a directive to assemble an expert panel to evaluate the ecological ramifications of sand mining at the Thottappally spillway in Alappuzha district.

Headed by the Alappuzha District Collector, the panel will include representatives from various government departments and a local NGO to scrutinize the sand removal process.

This decision comes as environmentalists raise concerns about potential ecological damage, including the loss of turtle nesting habitats due to the extraction of mineral-rich sand.

(With inputs from agencies.)