Judgement of the National Green Tribunal (Southern Zone, Chennai) in the matter of D. Gopinath Vs District Collector, Thiruvallur District & Others regarding removal of savudu sand from Maduravasal Lake in Uthukottai Taulk, Thiruvallur District for commercial purposes. NGT observed that on going through the records, it is clearly seen that the District Collector, Thiruvallur has given a clear go-by to the provisions of Rule 12 of the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959. The photographs filed by the applicant clearly show that removing of soil, earth or silt to a large extent appears to have been done in the tank beds, thereby creating deep and irregular pits and such pits not only affect the porous strata and prevent percolation and free flow of water but also result in endangering the human and animal life.

National Green Tribunal directed that a copy of this order to be sent to the Secretary, PWD, Government of Tamil Nadu to communicate to all the District Collectors in the State with a direction that desilting and the removal of sand, earth or silt from the tank bed shall be effected only in accordance with Rule 12 of the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959.