The Revenue Department has responded to a protest by farming community in Chennimalai over alleged deformation of a hill, purportedly by those holding title deeds, by ordering status quo until a detailed impact study is carried out by the Mines and Geology Department.
Housing plots
Earlier this month, farmers converged under the banner of Iyarkai Vala Padukappu Iyakkam alleging that realtors were clandestinely converting the over six-acre land for which title deed was obtained for agricultural purpose, into housing plots.
The apprehension raised by the Iyakkam functionary K.V. Ponnaiyan was that the natural ecology will be damaged if the land is permitted to be levelled.
Affected
Natural springs and borewells in the villages downstream will be affected due to the impact of flattening of the sloppy surface on the hill, Mr. Ponnaiyan said.
The farmers fear that the excavated mud will erode and descend on Thiruvalluvar Nagar at the foot of the slope during rainy season.
During 2011, the district administration had prevented the land owners from excavating mud following sustained protests by villagers of Pasuvapatti, and subsequently the High Court had also intervened to prevent deformity to the hill.
The Iyakkam is surprised over the land owners' act of flattening the slope flouting the norms of securing approval of the Mines and Geology Department.
