HC directive to TN govt on NOC for stone quarrying in eco-sensitive areas

The Madras High Court Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu government to compulsorily obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from concerned authorities before granting permission for stone quarrying in environmentally sensitive areas.

A division bench of Justices M M Sundaresh and Satheesh Kumar gave the direction on a public interest litigation petition against the permission notice issued on March 7, by Tirunelveli District administration for quarrying stone in five localities coming under the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.

The bench said NOC should be obtained from the National Board for Wildlife, and Environment Protection Regional Board before notifying permission.