On the brink of an eco catastrophe

K.A. Shaji
Palakkad,  
The Hindu, November 3, 2014 

The ecologically sensitive Nelliampathy hill ranges are on the verge of a massive environmental catastrophe largely due to unabated illegal quarrying in the down-hill areas.

Nelliampathy is home to the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve and numerous streams irrigating vast stretches of agricultural land in Palakkad, Coimbatore, and Tirupur districts.

In the past week, a massive landslip in the Cherunelli area isolated the hill station for four days. Road traffic was partially restored on Sunday. 

Local communities said landslips were frequent in the region since 2009 when large-scale quarrying started in downhill areas such as Muthalamada, Seetharkund, and Chulliyar. Huge cracks were visible on the rocky terrain between Pothundy and Kaikatti Hairpin bend.

“In July 2009, a portion of the hill at Kundaramchola caved in. In 2010, the Cherunelli area witnessed massive landslips. It seems the government and people’s representatives have scant regard for the environmental restoration of the region,” said K.D. Kannadas, a conservationist.

“My studies in the region proved that the hills are located in a geographically less stable area. Extensive granite quarrying here has heightened the possibility of recurring earthquakes,” said Satish Chandran Nair, ecologist.

“Nelliampathy saw severe landslips over a century ago and was now witnessing frequent tremors. Only a blanket ban on quarrying in the downhill areas can protect the region,” he said.

“The Chittoor taluk is the only area in Kerala with black cotton soil formed from old lava flows. Such soil, although very fertile, do not permit adequate water infiltration. So, groundwater replenishment is very slow. This is further worsened by deforestation and the destruction of small hillocks,” said S. Saravanakumar of Chittur.

Water reserves

“Heavy blasting in such terrain would have a harmful effect on groundwater reserves. There were four medium irrigation dams along the base of Nelliampathy and two storage reservoirs. Higher up, there are three dams, part of the Parambikulam-Aliyar project. Just across the border is the Aliyar storage reservoir. Probably, this tract has the largest number of large dams in this part of the country,” he said.

“The government has been talking for long about a master plan for Nelliampathy. But nothing concrete has happened so far in terms of regulating quarries and illegal constructions. Even on top of the hills, many plantations are clandestinely operating granite quarries, resulting in frequent tremors,” P.S. Panicker, a Palakkad-based  environmentalist, said.