Kerala High Court Orders Oversight Committee in Sand Mining Under Guise of Flood Control

The Kerala High Court has directed the State to constitute an ecology-focused committee to regulate sand and soil removal at the Thottappally spillway, stressing that flood control under the Disaster Management Act cannot become routine sand mining.

Noting serious coastal erosion and harm to turtle nesting habitats, the Court held that environmental protection cannot be sidelined.

Any future activity must follow expert ecological assessment and monitoring to ensure sustainable flood management.

[Green Roots Nature Conservation Forum & Anr. v. Government of India & Ors & connected case]