Introduction:

These cases bring to the fore, yet again, the unending and vexed issue of striking a balance between the development needs of human society and the ecological necessity to preserve natural resources. The activity of granite quarrying is one that has become so rampant in the State of Kerala that the time has probably come for the State to review its existing policy with regard to grant of quarrying leases and permits and ensure that quarrying activities in the State are effectively regulated through the legislative measures that are already in place. A recent study (March, 2017) conducted by the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, finds that there are a total of 5924 Quarries in the State covering an area of 7156.6 Hectares. Central Kerala ranks the highest, in terms of the number of quarries and the area quarried, with 2438 quarries covering an area of 3610.4 Hectares. North Kerala has 1969 quarries covering an area of 1871.97 Hectares, and South Kerala has 1517 quarries covering an area of 1675.21 Hectares. 50% of these quarries are in the 0.02-0.5 Hectare category, 35.7% in the 0.5-2 Hectare category, 73 granite quarries with an area above 10 Hectare