Sun Nov 23 00:00:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the article followed by a rewrite as a news article suitable for “The View From India” e-paper:
Summary:
A large number of granite quarries and crushing units in Uthiramerur taluk of Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu, are causing significant environmental damage, turning the landscape grey with dust and impacting agriculture. The proliferation of these quarries has led to land degradation, water contamination, and respiratory problems for residents. Farmers are protesting the operations, citing loss of crops, water resources, and health issues. While regulations and guidelines exist, their enforcement is weak. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed stricter enforcement, but concerns remain about the lack of comprehensive environmental impact assessments and groundwater management. The article highlights the tension between development needs and environmental protection, emphasizing the need for sustainable alternatives and better regulatory oversight.
News Article:
Kancheepuram’s Granite Quarries Cast a Grey Shadow Over Uthiramerur
Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu – November 23, 2025 – The once-vibrant landscape of Uthiramerur taluk in Kancheepuram district is facing an environmental crisis as rampant granite quarrying and stone crushing activities transform the region into a “grey” wasteland. A recent report reveals that the proliferation of these units is having a devastating impact on the environment, agriculture, and public health.
For years, this land that once had a unique local election system using palm leaves called kuda olai, has been significantly affected by the rise in granite quarries.
Villagers report widespread dust pollution affecting crops, contaminating water sources, and causing respiratory ailments. Farmers in areas like Siruthamur, Pazhaveri, and Alanjeri are struggling to maintain their livelihoods, with some reporting a shift from three annual paddy crops to barely one due to water scarcity and contamination. Quarrying has also led to a reduction in land under paddy cultivation.
“The water gets contaminated by quarry dust and if the water does not fill up the Alanjeri tank, a chain of 10 other tanks won’t get water. We used to grow three crops of paddy a year. Now, we struggle to grow one crop,” said V. Balakrishnan, a farmer.
Data indicates a significant increase in land area under mining in the district between 2005 and 2016, accompanied by a decline in agricultural land.
While regulations exist under the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), enforcement remains weak. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recently directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to enforce stricter standards for quarrying operations, including penalties for past violations, requirements for dust control measures, and greenbelt development. However, environmental activists argue for a more comprehensive approach, including third-party audits of cumulative environmental impacts and the adoption of satellite imagery monitoring, as used in other states like Telangana.
G. Sundarrajan of Poovulagin Nanbargal says that Tamil Nadu should adopt a strategy that Telengana uses, using satellite imagery to monitor mining.
Concerns are also raised about the lack of a proper legal framework for groundwater management, currently governed by a mere government order. Experts warn that continuous extraction without adequate regulation could lead to further desertification and irreversible changes in soil composition, ultimately threatening food security.
The district administration acknowledges the complaints and states that reports are being compiled. However, officials also emphasize the importance of quarrying for construction activities, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives to materials like M-sand.
The situation in Uthiramerur underscores the growing tension between development and environmental protection in India. Addressing this challenge requires a multi-pronged approach: strict enforcement of existing regulations, comprehensive environmental impact assessments, the adoption of sustainable mining practices, and the development of alternative construction materials. Without such measures, the “greying” of Uthiramerur could become a cautionary tale for other regions facing similar pressures.
First Piper 