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Officials say there is no scientific basis to the reports on the presence of precious stones.
The extreme, insular ecosystems are powered, not by the sunlight-driven photosynthesis, but by energy from superheated mineral-rich seawater jetting from cracks in the seafloor.
A video captured on the mobile phone of a college student who managed to hide it from raiding policemen shows policemen lathicharging locals protesting illegal sand mining.
The new order seemingly confirms the allegations that the permit and the lease were extended after coming under pressure from the mining mafia.
The tehsildar has asked the sub-inspectors at Tirur, Tanur, Kuttipuram, Valanchery, Kadampuzha, and Kalpakanchery to take action against the culprits.
Last October, the Mining and Geology Director K Biju had issued a stop memo to nearly 130 quarries that were within 10 km of the 28 wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala.
As per the new guidelines, sand can be purchased only through the online portal of the government by producing the receipt of the money remitted as price.
About 60 per cent of the mining activities in the state are being carried out within the 10km radius of protected areas.
Kerala government has decided to clamp down on mining operations in the wake of palpable environmental hazards and devastating natural calamities.
The Delhi Forest Department, in coordination with the Eco Task Force of the Indian Army, worked tirelessly to ensure every inch of the barren land turns green again.