Report filed by the Chief Environmental Engineer, Kerala State Pollution Control Board dated 08/02/2021 regarding illegal mining carried out by M/s. Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) and M/s. Kerala Minerals & Metals Limited (KMML) along the coastal area of Alappad and Chavara in Kollam district, Kerala.

[2]

The Committee constituted as per the direction of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), included the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) - had assessed the interim damage caused to the environment due to the unsustainable mining of the industries.

The NGT through its order of September 8, 2020 directed the KSPCB to enforce environmental norms which included the application of 'polluter pays principle'.

The KSPCB has said that environmental damage has already been established due to excessive beach mining by both the companies and the SPCB would proceed with the levying of the damage assessed upon the units - M/s Indian Rare Earths Limited and M/s. Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited. Show cause notices have been issued under section 5 of the Environment Protection Act 1986 to both the companies.