Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 16, 2008
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Online edition of India's National Newspaper Saturday, Feb 16, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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Tamil Nadu
MADURAI: Residents of Keezhavalavu near here have expressed concern over granting of permission for quarrying granite close to one of the important Jain monuments dating back to 9th/10th century. The Keezhavalavu panchayat council, on November 30, 2007, had passed a resolution requesting the Madurai Collector to prevent quarrying on the ‘Pancha Pandavar Padukkai,’ a hillock, along the Melur-Tirupattur highway. The hillock once housed an ancient Jain school under a huge boulder. Nine sculptures and few inscriptions stand testimony. Though granite cutting has been going on in this region for decades, residents have raised apprehension that permitting quarrying closer would damage the hillock. Though officials claim that a 300-metre-gap is maintained between the monument and the permitted site of quarrying to prevent any possible damage, residents, who prefer anonymity, said that use of explosives to blast rocks would ultimately damage the very structure of the hillock. “Some 20 years back, local labourers were not allowed to dig out boulders for construction purpose from a nearby hillock. There was a huge gap between two hillocks (one housing the monument and the one on which the labourers worked). But now, we wonder how officials allowed quarrying so close to the monument,” a villagero said. Favourite hauntLocal people frequent the hillock, 200 metres away from the highway, for its quietude, cool breeze and a scenic view of the countryside from the top. Many marriages are solemnised at a temple of Lord Muruga. “The popular faith is that the first child of the couple who gets married here will be a male,” another resident said. A board erected by the Archaeological Survey of India says it has been declared a monument of national importance under Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. It also warns that “areas up to 100 metres from protected limits and 200 metres further beyond it near or adjoining protected monuments have been declared to be prohibited and regulated areas respectively for the purpose of mining operation and construction” under Rule 32 of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules, 1959. When contacted, Collector S.S. Jawahar said that the issue had been referred to the Deputy Director (Mines).
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