Members of the Green Environmental Protection Association submitted a petition with the District Collector K.J. Praveen Kumar here on Monday alleging illegal operation of sand mining in lakes in villages like Thirali and Maravankulam near Thirumangalam.

In the Thirumangalam taluk, thousands of acres of agricultural land have benefited from the lakes located in Thirali and Maravankulam villages.

It was alleged that for the past few months, the lakes in Thirali and Maravankulam villages were being destroyed by extracting gravel for road construction.

Petitioners claimed that gravel was being mined illegally to a depth of over 15 meters, which would lead to the total destruction of the lakes in the area and render them unusable for agriculture.

“The pits deeper than 40 feet have been created in the Maravankulam lake for mining sand and soil. Roads have been constructed inside the lake and gravel is being dumped in violation of regulations,” they added.

Despite local residents filing multiple complaints, they alleged that no action has been taken and that these violations continue with the support of officials.

They also stated in their petition that just as the Thirali lake was destroyed, activities were now underway to destroy the Maravankulam lake, and they urged the District Collector to take immediate action.

Mr. Praveen Kumar informed the petitioners that an investigation would be conducted through mining department officials and action would be taken.

Advocate Thirumalairaj said, “We have also filed a case in the High Court regarding this matter. Despite various guidelines issued by the High Court previously, they are not being followed properly; hence, we have met and petitioned the District Collector.”

He added that the newly formed government must take steps to act on such complaints immediately and effectively.