Latest news with #WayanadPrakrithiSamrakshanaSamithi
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala HC seeks state govt's reply in PIL against Wayanad tunnel project
Kochi: High court on Thursday directed the state govt to file a counter affidavit in a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the Stage I forest clearance and the environmental clearance granted for the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi twin tunnel road project between Kozhikode and Wayanad. A bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji issued the directive on the PIL filed by Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi and adjourned the matter to Sept 9. HC also clarified that any step taken by the state govt or other stakeholders towards commencement of the project would be subject to the PIL's outcome. The petitioners contended that Wayanad district is highly prone to landslides and that the proposed project passes through ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs). The tunnel alignment cuts through the ESA villages of Thiruvambady in Kozhikode and Vellarimala in Wayanad, and hence, the environmental appraisal conducted by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) was inadequate. They argued that the project required appraisal at the central level, and pointed out that neither the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) nor the central govt had conducted any independent environmental assessment. The petitioners also questioned the competence of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report prepared by the Konkan Railway Corporation, arguing that it is not an accredited agency authorised to prepare such reports. Additionally, the Samithi referred to an office memorandum issued by the central govt, which mandates that work can begin only after obtaining Stage II forest clearance from the Govt of India. Since such clearance has not yet been granted, the petitioners argued that the state govt should not proceed with any construction activities. Opposing the PIL, the govt pleader submitted that another set of litigations involving the same project is already pending before a different division bench. It was further argued that under Section 16(h) of the National Green Tribunal Act, any person aggrieved by the grant of environmental clearance may file an appeal before the National Green Tribunal within 30 days, and therefore, the petitioners should seek remedy through that forum. HC, however, directed the govt pleader to file a detailed reply affidavit and orally observed that it would consider the issues raised by the state once the pleadings are complete.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Because of MGS Narayanan, stones of Edakkal still speak
1 2 3 Kozhikode: Even while standing tall as a towering figure in Indian historiography, MGS Narayanan carried within him an activist's spirit. His decisive intervention was key in protecting the Edakkal Caves — Wayanad 's preeminent archaeological site known for its ancient petroglyphs — from the clutches of the quarry mafia. Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi (WPSS) president N Badusha said that on learning that the state had granted permission for quarrying activities dangerously close to the Edakkal caves, MGS rushed to Wayanad and personally led the protest before the district collectorate in 1986. Responding to MGS's call for support, renowned historian Irfan Habib, who was member secretary of the Indian History Congress directly met then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi which led to the ban on quarrying activities in the Ambukuthi hils. "The nationwide support for the cause of Edakkal was largely due to the tireless efforts of historians under MGS's leadership. Without their intervention, Edakkal might today have been reduced to rubble," said Badusha. Following the success of the Edakkal movement, MGS, along with Rajan Gurukkal, MR Raghava Varier and others embarked on a systematic exploration of Wayanad's historical landscape. Their efforts led to the discovery of many petroglyphs and the identification and documentation of Jain temples — locally known as Kallambalams — in central Wayanad. They unearthed numerous ancient burial sites and places of historical interest in the Ambukuthi valley. They also found statues and sculptures from the Vijayanagara empire and earlier periods, scattered across forests in Muthanga, Rampur, Mavinhalla and Thirunelli. Beyond his scholarly pursuits, MGS remained deeply involved in other social causes as well. In his later years, he spearheaded the agitation demanding the development of the Mananchira–Vellimadukunnu road, which passed near his residence in Malaparamba. Undeterred by age, MGS even led sit-in and held protests for the cause even in his old age and served as the chairman of the Mananchira-Vellimadukunnu Road Development Action Committee. MGS had once jokingly shared that someone even called him from Pathanamthitta and asked whether he would come to solve their road development issue issues. Kozhikode: Even while standing tall as a towering figure in Indian historiography, MGS Narayanan carried within him an activist's spirit. His decisive intervention was key in protecting the Edakkal Caves — Wayanad's preeminent archaeological site known for its ancient petroglyphs — from the clutches of the quarry mafia. Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi (WPSS) president N Badusha said that on learning that the state had granted permission for quarrying activities dangerously close to the Edakkal caves, MGS rushed to Wayanad and personally led the protest before the district collectorate in 1986. Responding to MGS's call for support, renowned historian Irfan Habib, who was member secretary of the Indian History Congress directly met then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi which led to the ban on quarrying activities in the Ambukuthi hils. "The nationwide support for the cause of Edakkal was largely due to the tireless efforts of historians under MGS's leadership. Without their intervention, Edakkal might today have been reduced to rubble," said Badusha. Following the success of the Edakkal movement, MGS, along with Rajan Gurukkal, MR Raghava Varier and others embarked on a systematic exploration of Wayanad's historical landscape. Their efforts led to the discovery of many petroglyphs and the identification and documentation of Jain temples — locally known as Kallambalams — in central Wayanad. They unearthed numerous ancient burial sites and places of historical interest in the Ambukuthi valley. They also found statues and sculptures from the Vijayanagara empire and earlier periods, scattered across forests in Muthanga, Rampur, Mavinhalla and Thirunelli. Beyond his scholarly pursuits, MGS remained deeply involved in other social causes as well. In his later years, he spearheaded the agitation demanding the development of the Mananchira–Vellimadukunnu road, which passed near his residence in Malaparamba. Undeterred by age, MGS even led sit-in and held protests for the cause even in his old age and served as the chairman of the Mananchira-Vellimadukunnu Road Development Action Committee. MGS had once jokingly shared that someone even called him from Pathanamthitta and asked whether he would come to solve their road development issue issues.
