Case Chronology 2013 - 2022: Responses from the State Administration and Judiciary to the complaints filed by Thadagam Valley Civil Society

 
Saandhu
03/07/2022

Date	Activity	Remarks
21.02.2013	Cbe District Collector’s notice on Works in Elephant Migratory Path செ.வெ.எண்.43, நாள் 21.2.2013	கோவை மாவட்டம் தேவராயபுரம்…..நஞ்சுண்டாபுரம், சின்னத்தடாகம்,வீரபாண்டி, சோமையம்பாளையம்…..ஆகிய கிராமங்களில் யானைகள் வலசைப்பாதை (Elephant Corridor) மறிக்கப்பட்டு அனுமதியற்ற அபிவிருத்திகள் காப்புக்காடுகளை ஒட்டி பெருகி வருகின்றன. இதனால் யானைகள் ஊருக்குள் புகுந்து பெருத்த பொருள்சேதம் உயிர்சேதம் ஆகியவற்றை ஏற்படுத்தும் விதமாக மனித-விலங்கு மோதல் சூழல் அடிக்கடி ஏற்படுகிறது. இதனைத் தவிர்க்க மேற்கண்ட கிராமங்களில் விதிகளுக்குட்பட்டு மலையிட பாதுகாப்பு குழுமம் (HACA) மற்றும் மாவட்ட ஆட்சித் தலைவர் ஒப்புதலின்றி அபிவருத்திப் பணிகள் எதையும் மேற்கொள்ளக் கூடாதுஎனவும், அவ்வாறு அபிவிருத்திமேற்கொள்ளப்படின் தண்ணீர் இணைப்பு, மின் இணைப்பு துண்டிக்கப்பட்டு வரிவிதிப்பு இரத்து செய்யப்படுவதுடன் நகர் ஊரமைப்பு சட்டம் 1971 பிரிவு 56, 57 இன் கீழ் மூடி முத்திரையிடல் மற்றும் இடித்தல் போன்ற நடவடிக்கைகள் மேற்கொள்ளப்படும் எனவும் எச்சரிக்கப் படுகிறது.
26.10.2015	Letter from M.Senthil Kumar IFS, DFO, Coimbatore Division to District Collector Cbe நக.எண்: வ1/12987/2014 நாள் 26.10.2015	பொருள்: வன விலங்குகள் நடமாட்டம் பாதிப்பது, விளைநிலங்கள் சேதப்படுத்துவது, மலைதல பாதுகாப்பு கிராமங்களில் வனத்தை ஒட்டி அனுமதியில்லாமல் நடைபெறும் கட்டுமானங்கள், கனிமங்கள் எடுக்க அனுமதிப்பது தொடர்பான விசயங்களில் நடவடிக்கை எடுப்பது சம்பந்தமாக. …கடந்த 10 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு மேலாக மனித விலங்கு மோதல் தொடர்ந்து வருகிறது.கடந்த காலங்களில் வனத்தை ஒட்டியுள்ள கிராமங்களில் தொடங்கிய மனித வனவிலங்கு மோதல் தர்போது வனத்திலிருந்து தொலைவில் உள்ள கிராமங்களுக்கும் பரவி வருகிறது….இதற்கு முக்கிய காரணமாக வனவிலங்குகள் நடமாடும் பகுதிகளில் அனுமதியற்ற வகையில் கட்டுமானங்கள் அமைந்தது, மண் அள்ளுவது போன்ற காரண்ங்கள் மிக முக்கியமானவை….தடாகம் பகுதியில் வனத்தை ஒட்டியே மண் அள்ள அனுமதி அளிக்கப்படுவது முற்றிலும் தடுக்கப்பட வேண்டும். தற்போது செங்கல் சூளைகள் ஆனைக்கட்டி பகுதிகளிலும் அனுமதிக்கப்படுவது, மேலும் பிரச்சினைகளை உருவாக்குகிறது…பெரியநாயக்கன்பாளையம் வனச்சரகத்துக்குட்பட்ட பகுதிகளில் ஏராளமான சூளைகள் வனத்தை ஒட்டி மண் அள்ள அனுமதிக்கப்படுகின்றன….வனத்துறையால் மட்டும் மனித வனவிலங்கு மோதலை தடுத்திட முடியாது. உள்ளாட்சித்துறை மற்றும் கிராம நிர்வாக அலுவலர்கள், பொதுப்பணித்துறை அதிகாரிகள், விவசாய பொறியியல் துறை, கனிம வளத் துறை, மின்வாரியம் போன்ற அனைத்து துறைகளும் ஒன்றிணைந்து செயல்பட்டால் மட்டுமே இதற்கு தீர்வு காண முடியும். ..வன எல்லையை ஒட்டிய பகுதிகளில் உள்ள சில பகுதிகளில் நிலங்கள் எடுக்கப்பட வேண்டும். மிக முக்கிய கிராமங்களில் வன எல்லையை ஒட்டி 2.00 கி.மீ தூரத்திற்குப் புதிய கட்டுமானங்கள் அமைவதை தடுக்கும் வகையில் சட்ட ரீதியான நடவடிக்கைகள் எடுக்கப்பட வேண்டும்.
21.01.2019	மாவட்ட வன அலுவலர் து.வெங்கடேஷ் இ.வ.ப., கோவை கோட்டம் அவர்கள் கோவை மாவட்ட ஆட்சித் தலைவருக்கு அனுப்பிய கடிதம் ந.க.எண் :12987/2014 வ 1 நாள் 21.01.2019 பார்வை: 1. இவ்வலுவலக ந.க.எண் வ்1/12987/2014 நாள் 26.10.2015 2. உதவி வனப்பாதுகாவலர், வனப்பாதுகாப்புப் படை, கோவை ந.க.எண். 186/2018 நாள் 24.12.2018	பார்வை(1)இல் கண்ட கடிதம் தொடர்பாக கோவை மாவட்டம் கோவை வடக்கு வட்டம் தடாகம் பள்ளத்தாக்கு பகுதியில் அதிக அளவிளான செங்கல் சூளைகள் செயல்பட்டு வருகின்றன. இச்செங்கல் சூளைகள் போலாம்பட்டி பிளாக் 2 மற்றும் தடாகம் காப்புக்காடுகளின் எல்லையினை ஒட்டி உள்ள பட்டா நிலங்களில் அமைந்துள்ளது. இச்செங்கல் சூளைகளில் 20க்கும் மேற்பட்ட சூளைகள் அரசு அனுமதியின்றி செயல்பட்டு வருகிறது. இச்சூளைகள் வனத்தினை ஒட்டி சுமார் 3.00 மீ முதல் 8.00 மீட்டர் ஆழத்திற்கு குழிகள் தேண்டி செம்மண் எடுக்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது. மேலும் இந்த தடாக பள்ளத்தாக்கினை சுற்றி அமைந்துள்ள காப்புக்காடானது அதிக சரிவுப் பகுதிகளாகவும்,சரிவு பகுதி முடிந்தவுடன் பட்டா நிலங்களும் வருவாய் நிலங்களும் அமைந்துள்ளது. இப்பட்டா நிலங்களில் சூளைகள் அமைந்து ஆழமான குழி தோண்டி செம்மண் எடுக்கப்பட்டு வருவதால் வனப்பகுதியில் ஓர் இடத்தை விட்டு இன்னொரு இடத்திற்கு செல்லும் யானைகள் சரிவுப்பகுதியில் செல்ல முடியாத காரணத்தால் பட்டா நிலங்கள் மற்றும் வருவாய் நிலங்கள் வழியாகத்தான் செல்கின்றன. இவ்வாறு செல்லும் யானைகள் செங்கல் சூளைக்கு மண் எடுக்க அமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ள குழிகளுக்குள் விழுந்து காயம் மற்றும் உயிரிழப்பு ஏற்பட வாய்ப்பு உள்ளது. மேலும் ஆழம் அதிகமான இக்குழிகளில் மண் எடுக்கப்பட்டு வருவதால் இந்த வழியாக இடம் பெயரும் யானைகள் செங்கல் சூளைகளுக்கு அருகில் உள்ள கிராமங்களில் புகுந்து யானை-மனித மோதல்கள் ஏற்பட்டு பொதுமக்களின் உயிருக்கும், உடமைக்கும் சேதம் ஏற்படுத்தி வருகிறது. எனவே, கோவை மாவட்டம், கோவை வடக்கு வட்டம், தடாகம் பள்ளத்தாக்குப் பகுதிகளில் அரசு அனுமதியின்றி செயல்பட்டுவரும் செங்கல் சூளைகள் மற்றும் அரசால் அனுமதிக்கப்பட்ட ஆழத்தினை விட அதிகமான ஆழத்திற்கு செம்மண் எடுக்கும் செங்கல் சூளைகள் மீது உரிய நடவடிக்கை மேற்கொள்ளுமாறு அன்புடன் கேட்டுக்கொள்ளப்படுகிறது.
15.07.2019 ந.க.எண்.143/கனிமம்/2019 [ மனு நாள் 21.05.2019 - அலுவலகத்தில் கிடைக்கப்பெற்ற நாள் 18.06.2019]	RTI - From முனைவர் அ.கலைச் செல்வன், பொதுத்தகவல் அலுவலர், இணை இயக்குனர்/உதவி இயக்குனர் (பொ), புவியியல் மற்றும் சுரங்கத்துறை, கோவை - To ம.சிவா, 168, கருப்பராயன் கோவில் வீதி, புலியகுளம், கோவை	தடாகம் பள்ளத்தாக்கில் செங்கல் சூளைகளுக்கு அனுமதி எதுவும் வழங்கப்படவில்லை 2015-2019 வரை அனுமதியின்றி மண் ஏற்றிட பயன்படுத்தப்பட்ட வாகனங்கள் மற்றும் ஏற்றிச்சென்ற வாகனங்கள் கைப்பற்றப்பட்டு உரிய மேல் நடவடிக்கைகள் எடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.
30.07.2019	RDO Cbe north conducts a meeting with complainants on illegal brick kilns along with VAOs.
27.08.2019	Minister of Environment&Forests - India, direct CPCB to inspect Thadagam Valley jointly with TNPCB	vide letter dated 27.08.2019
29.08.2019	SEE/CPCB Mr.R.Rajkumar inspects the area along with TNPCB Cbe North officials, to ascertain the status of the operation of brick kilns and preparation of an Action Plan	Recommendations by SEE/CPCB to TNPCB: TNPCB has to form a committee involving Dept of Mining&Geology, HACA, Forest Dept., SEIAA to implement & submit an action plan to abte pollution due to brick industry Prepare an inventory of brick kilns/ direct them to obtain consent and legal permissions and implement guidelines for brick kilns Manufacturing activity is in clusters/ Hence, Carrying Capacity of the area has to be studied and accordingly the activity allowed Dept of Mining&Geology shall take a survey of brick making in the valley to assess the quantum of mining and its carrying capacity - to identify and confirm whether mining activities is being carried out in approved patta lands as well as to stop mining beyond 2 mts
06.09.2019	TMS Rajendran files case in High Court  W.P.No.28475 of 2019	Close illegal brick kilns in Thadagam Valley - Direct TANGEDCO to disconnect power supply to the illegal brick kilns in Thadagam Valley Constitute a committee of experts from the fields of geology and mining, water resources, health, ecology and environment and agriculture to assess the damages done to ecology and general public
10.09.2019	Muralidharan files a case in High Court to protect elephant corridor in Thadagam Valley W.P.No. 27356 of 2019	1. direct PCCF and Chief Wildlife Warden of the Forest Department, Govt of TN, to identify and secure the elephant corridors in the Coimbatore Forest Division with the support of the respondents therein with an interim relief of directing the Chairman, TNPCB and Commissioner of Geology & Mining to close all the illegal brick kilns operating in Thadagam Valley.
24.09.2019	RDO North Cbe conducts meeting with 176 Brick Kiln owners at CMK Kalyana Madapam RN Puram along with AD Mines Cbe, DSP Periyanaickan Palayam, DEE TNPCB Cbe North, Exec Engineer TNEB Vadamadurai, DFO Cbe, BDO Cbe North, Asst BDO Annur Block, Asst BlDO Periyanaickan Palayam	Impress upon them about running their kilns after getting due legal permission
04.10.2019	Member Sceretary, TNPCB, Chennai instructs DEE-Cbe North, to inspect the valley	Carryout inspection and identify all the brick kilns and issue show cause notices for operating without getting consent of the Board and running in prohibited area - Notice No.TNPCB/O&G/F.024093/CBE/2019 Carryout ambient Air Quality Survey in all the 5 villages in the valley using Board’s mobile van
09.10.2019	TNPCB ACTION TAKEN REPORT	Request Cbe District Collector, Commissioner of Town and Country Planning,Chennai, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden,Chennai - to take necessary actions against brick kilns and mining activities in Eco Sensitive Area (vide letter dated 09.10.2019)
17.10.2019	Asst Engineer Cbe North TNPCB, inspects brick kiln units in Thadagam Valley	Kilns were operating without consent from TNPCB Show cause notice issued vide Proc.No.F.CBN-NA/DEE/TNPCB/NCC/CBN/OS/W&A/2019 dated 21.10.2019
29.10.2019	District Collector Cbe, issues notice to brick kiln manufacturers to show cause within 15 days as to why action should not be taken for running brick chambers without  proper licences; stop their activities forthwith and if they indulge in such activities appropriate criminal action would be taken against them. (Collector - K.Rajamani IAS)	ந.க.10/கனிமம்/2019 தேதி 29.10.2019
08.01.2020	TNPCB Inspection Committee visits Thadagam Valley. Inspects 12 brick kilns in Thadagam Valley	Findings: Brick kilns were located very near to each other and located near to habitations Brick Earth was brought (to kilns) from own mines located in two villages namely, Chinna Thadagam and 24.Veerapandi Coal and firewood used as fuel Most inspected units had their own bore wells for extracting ground water for operation Dust emissions were found in a) entire premises due to vehicle movement and movement of raw material and products; b) unloading of raw material; c) stacking and covering of raw bricks with sand Recommendations: 1. All 183 illegally operating brick kilns shall be closed because:        a) No consent from TNPCB        b) No consent from HACA        c) High Court direction in W.P.No. 1064 of 2009 not complied        d) Directions of CPCB not complied         e) no environmental clearance for mining         f) Ambient air Quality Survey - PM10 is above Standards          g) operations of kilns invited public complaints and court cases seeking remedy for affected persons
03.02.2020	Memo to DEE TNPCB North from Chairman TNPCB - Memo No.T1/TNPCBO&G/F.024093/Brick Kliln/2020, dated 03.02.2020	Chairman TNPCB had instructed DEE Cbe North through his memo dated 03.02.2020 to furnish the detailed inspection report for all brick kiln units along with SCN issued, unit’s reply letter to the SCN issued complaint petitions and court orders.
10.02.2020 [Inspections and SCN served from 10.2019 to 02.2020 to the brick kilns by TNPCB DEEs]	DEE TNPCB Cbe North visits the brick kilns in Thadagam Valley again.	The units are operational Units have not taken any steps to obtain consent of the Board and the units have not provided adequate Air pollution Control Measures for fugitive emission sources in vehicle movement and violations are being continued. Under these circumstances, it is recommended for issue of directions of closure , sealing of machineries through Revenue Department and disconnection of power Supply connections pertaining to the units under Section 33A of Water (P&CP) Act, 1974, as amended & under Section 31A of the Air (P&CP) Act 1981, as amended thereon.
17.06.2020 / 20.06.2020	TNPCB ACTION TAKEN REPORT	Request Asst Director of Geology and Mining, Coimbatore to take action against illegal mining in HACA declared area (letter dated 17.06.2020) under Mining Acts and Rules (vide letter dated 20.06.2020)
23.06.2020	District Collector Notice	Na.Ka.238/Mines/2020 dated 23.06.2020
21.10.2020	District Collector Notice	Na.Ka.11/Mines/2020 dated 21.10.2020 and Na.Ka.47/2020 dated 21.10.2020 [Brick Kiln owners Sundarraj and Yuvaraj have obtained interim stay order before Madras High Court - order dated 21.01.2021 in WP Nos 17676/2020 nad 17990/2020 respectively against the Proceedings of the District Collector for the closure of their brick kilns vide Rc No 47/Mines/2020 dated 21.10.2020 nad Rc No 11/Mines/2020 dated 21.10.2020 - Hence it is requested that the above writ petitions may be clubbed into this matter].
06.01.2021	First Order on WP Nos 27356 and 28475 of 2019 by Madras High Court - Sandeep Banarjee Chief justice & Senthil Kumar Ramamoorthy J	State in consultation with PCCF should file a report in 6 weeks to indicate how Human Elephant Conflict can be avoided and right of passage given to elephants without much displacement to humans. Respondent authorities should take immediate, appropriate action against illegal brick kilns
10.01.2021	TNPCB ACTION TAKEN REPORT	DEE, Cbe North recommends TNPCB to issue directions for closure, sealing of machineries and disconnection of power supply to 183 brick kilns (vide letter dated 10.01.2021)
10.02.2021	Second Order on WP Nos 27356 and 28475 of 2019 by Madras High Court - Sandeep Banarjee Chief justice & Senthil Kumar Ramamoorthy J	In W.P.No.27356 of 2019, Mines Department says a coordinated strategy has to be worked out by the State after consultation with all the departments so that elephant corridors can be left untouched or those encroached corridors be restored. Local authorities have turned a Nelson’s eye to the illegal operations of brick kilns; Official respondents must take immediate remedial measures to ensure that brick kilns function within the parameters set down and upon obtaining license remain confined to the areas demarcated. Burgeoning brick kilns that encroach into forest lands or elephant corridors should be proceeded against without undue delay. A status report has to be filed by the State through its Chief Secretary within 6 weeks upon coordination between various departments.
20.02.2021	District Collector Notice	Na.Ka.284/Mines/2021 dated 20.02.2021
05.03.2021	TNPCB ACTION TAKEN REPORT	Chairman,TNPCB,Chennai had requested the Director, Directorate of Geology and Mining, Chennai to issue the necessary instructions to assistant Director, department of Geology and Mining, Coimbatore to take appropriate action against the illegal brick kiln units and furnish action taken report to the TNPCB (vide letter dated 05.03.2021).
08.03.2021	District Collector Cbe meeting with RDO North, AD Mines Cbe, DEE TNPCB Cbe North, AD Rural Devl&Panchayath Cbe, DFO Cbe, Tahsildar Cbe North, BDO Periyanaickanpalayam, Forest Ranger Cbe - Regarding Madras High Court Order dated 06.01.2021 on WP Nos 27356 and 28475 of 2019	Analyse brick kilns located in elephant migratory paths thoroughly and send the list immediately - This by DFO With this list prepared by DFO, Revenue, Police, Mines, Pollution Control Board and Rural development Officers should inspect them, and close and if necessary disconnect EB connections with the help of EB engineers in Cbe North Disribution and Thudiyalur Close and seal these brick kilns and send the report along with photos to district Collector Illegal Mining in forest lands, revenue lands, and private patta lands should be stopped. This action should be taken by AD Mines & Geology co ordinating the above said departments. Report on this should be submitted to the Collector before 15.03.2021.
11.03.2021	Commissioner of Geology and Mining Letter	Rc.No.681/MM1/2021 dated 11.03.2021
11.03.2021	Reply from D.Venkatesh IFS, DFO, Cbe Division to Letter from District Collector Roc.No.5329/2021/2019/L dated:04.03.2021  RC.No.8360/2019/D1. dated 11.03.2021 Previous letters from DFO to District Collector Cbe: Letter No.12387/2014/வ1 நாள் 26.10.2015, எண் 12987/2014வ1 நாள் 21.01.2019, எண்12987/2014/வ1 நாள் 09.08.2020, எண் 8360/202019/வ1 நாள் 15.02.2021, எண் 8360/202019/வ1 நாள் 05.03.2021, எண் 8360/202019/வ1 நாள் 05.03.2021	“However, I wish to state that the seasonal streams originating from the forest and running through the valley have been traditionally used by elephants to return to reserve forest in seasonal occasion of crop raiding and the same may be identified in the ground and kept free of any kind of encroachments or wrong usage such as paths for plying vehicles. I further state that as per the information available with the forest department staff, large numbers of brick kilns are functioning without any license. It is also not clear as to which agency/department has to issue license for operations of the brick kilns. It is also not clear as to the different statutory provisions that governs the activity of operations of brick kilns. I wish to state that there is also the issue of rampant sand mining in private lands in the valley for supply to the brick kilns. I wish to state that Gudalur, Nanjundapuram, Chinnathadagam, 24-Veerapandi, Somayampalayam villages are notified under HACA in Thadagam Valley. I also wish to state that 24 Veeramndi Panchayat is identified as Eco Sensitive Area (ESA) in draft notificationof Govt of India No.598, dated 27.02.2017 in which also the operation of BrickKiln falls Hence I request that the concerned Departments namely Mines, Revenue Industry and Pollution. Control Board and any other Department concerned with the operation of brick kilns / sand mining from private lands may be directed to take necessary action to implement the order dated 10.02.2021 issed by the Madras High Court. CC to: PCCF and Chief Wildlife Warden, Addl.PCCF Coimbatore Circle, DRO Cbe, AD Mines Cbe, Asst Engineer Pollution Control Board, Coimbatore”
16.03.2021	District Collector Cbe meeting with RDO North, AD Mines Cbe, DEE TNPCB Cbe North, AD Rural Devl&Panchayath Cbe, DFO Cbe, Tahsildar Cbe North, BDO Periyanaickanpalayam, Forest Ranger Cbe - Regarding Madras High Court Order dated 06.01.2021 on WP Nos 27356 and 28475 of 2019
17.03.2021	Proceedings of the District Collector, Coimbatore - to Tahsildar Cbe North to close and seal illegal brick kilns [Rc.No.5329/2021/L dated 17.03.2021] This is based on: District Collector’s notice Na.Ka.10/Mines/2019 dated 29.10.2019 and TNPCB/O&G/F.024093/CBE/2019 dated 04.10.2019 and Letter from Commissioner Geology & Mining Chennai - Na.Ka.681/MM1/2021 dated 11.03.2021	District Collector (10th Respondent) vide Rc.No.5329/2021 dated 17.03.2021 has directed Tahsildar, Cbe North to close down and seal illegal brick kilns. Exec engineer TANGEDCO has been directed to disconnect electricity to illegal brick kilns with immediate effect. Asst.Dir of Geology & Mining Cbe, DEE Coimbatore North have been directed to coordinate with the Departments and to submit an Action Taken report.
19.03.2021, 24.03.2021, 25.03.2021	Tahsildar Cbe North closes 186 illegal brick kilns in Thadagam Valley	Tahsildar Cbe North, DEE Cbe North, Asst Dire Geo&Mining Cbe inspected 5 villages on 19.03.2021, 24.03.2021 and 25.03.2021 and a total of 186 brick kilns operating without reg cert from District Collector under sub rule (2) of Rule 19 of TN Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959, and without other permissions from authorities have been banned to carryout any activity from 19.03.2021 onwards and notices have been properly served/posted in respect of 186 brick kiln units. 67 units - Veerapandi, 82 units - Chinnathadagam, 10 units - Somayampalayam, 20 units - Nanjundapuram, 7 Units - Pannimadai ….. Total = 186 Units closed.
30.03.2021	Status Report filed by the Chief Secretary (Rajiv Ranjan) to the Government on WP Nos.27356 & 28475 of 2019 at the Madras High Court	As directed by the High Court dated 06.01.2021 and 10.02.2021 in WP Nos. 27356 and 28475, District Administration has taken steps for closure of illegal brick kilns in 5 revenue villages of Cbe North Taluk. District Collector (10th Respondent) vide Rc.No.5329/2021 dated 17.03.2021 has directed Tahsildar, Cbe North to close down and seal illegal brick kilns. Exec engineer TANGEDCO has been directed to disconnect electricity to illegal brick kilns with immediate effect. Asst.Dir of Geology & Mining Cbe, DEE Coimbatore North have been directed to coordinate with the Departments and to submit an Action Taken report. Tahsildar Cbe North, DEE Cbe North, Asst Dire Geo&Mining Cbe inspected 5 villages on 19.03.2021, 24.03.2021 and 25.03.2021 and a total of 186 brick kilns operating without reg cert from District Collector under sub rule (2) of Rule 19 of TN Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959, and without other permissions from authorities have been banned to carryout any activity from 19.03.2021 onwards and notices have been properly served/posted in respect of 186 brick kiln units. 67 units - Veerapandi, 82 units - Chinnathadagam, 10 units - Somayampalayam, 20 units - Nanjundapuram, 7 Units - Pannimadai ….. Total = 186 Units closed. No person shall transport or store or cause to be transported or stored any mineral other than in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the Rules made thereunder as per sub section (!A of Section 4 of Mines and Minerals (Development&Regulation) act, 1957 District Collector (10th respondent) has reported that the Asst Director Geology & Mining Cbe, is carrying out assessment of the quantum of brick earth unlawfully stored in each brick kiln units and the assessment of the stocks will be completed in 30 days time. After the receipt of the report on the assessment of the brick earth stored unlawfully from the Asst Director of Geology & Mining Cbe, necessary action will be initiated by the RDO Cbe North, against the owners of the brick kiln units for unlawful storage of brick earth, in accordance with the penal provisions of Mines and Minerals (Development & regulation) Act, 1957 and the TN Mineral Concession Rules, 1959. 4 weeks time necessary for the completion of the assessment of the brick earth stored unlawfully in the 186 brick kilns.
31.03.2021	Third Order on WP Nos 27356 and 28475 of 2019 by Madras High Court - Sandeep Banarjee Chief justice & Senthil Kumar Ramamoorthy J	Copies of Action Taken to stop illegal brick kilns from functioning and to restore the relevant elephant corridor have not been furnished to both the writ petitioners. This has to be furnished within the next fortnight. Copies of the affidavit submitted by Union Ministry of Forest can be availed by other parties of the case, from the advocate representing the concerned ministry. The State has submitted that a number of brick kilns have been closed because such units could not show any permission from the District Collector that is mandatory. To the extent that the relevant brick kiln owners have any grievance against the State for the manner adopted in closing down the units, such owners and manufacturers will be entitled to approach the appropriate forum in accordance with law.
14.04.2021	NGT takes Thadagam Brick kilns case suo motu	No.119 of 2021(SZ)
30.04.2021	Pushpa Sathyanarayana J., WP Nos.9606 of 2021, etc. batch & WMP Nos. 11653 & 11786 of 2021 & Connected M.Ps.	Common Order on writ petitions questioning : “whether the notices of the authorities seeking to suspend the brick kiln operations of the petitioners in the path of the wild elephants are sustainable in the eye of law” The impugned orders by Tahsildar Cbe north need interference by this court. The impugned order is set aside District Collector shall pass appropriate orders with respect to petitioners after affording an opportunity of hearing within a period of 4 weeks from the receipt of the copy of this order The impugned orders would be treated as notices to the petitioners for appearing before the District Collector. No separate notice in this regard will be issued to the petitioners.  No further extension of time would be granted to District Collector to complete the above exerciseof passing appropriate orders qua these petitioners. The respondents can take any action against the brick kilns, including the petitioners, if found that they operated without any license/clearance in the manner known to law. This order would not preclude the authorities in exercising their powers in accordance with law. The owners of the brick kilns can run the show, if they possess a valid license and other documents to do so. These writ petitions are ordered to the extent indicated above. Consequently, WMP Nos.11653 and 11786 of 2021 are dismissed.
04.06.2021	NGT’s first order	Constitute a Joint Committee - Cbe Dist Collector, TN-SEIAA representative, Geology & Mining Rep., TNPCB Rep - To inspect area and submit a factual and action taken report Gives 9 directions to the Joint committee to consider during inspection Submit the Report on or before 16.07.2021
15.07.2021	Status Report by DRO Coimbatore, filed at NGT through 7th Respondent (District Collector)
30.06.2021	WP Nos 27356 and 28475 of 2019 - Chief Justice & Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy J	A further status report dealing with the other corridors in the Coimbatore Forest Division and in the Nilgiris and thereabouts should be filed. If there are brick kilns and such brick kilns are in the corridors or paths, appropriate measures are to be taken in accordance with law and upon notice to them.  The observations above should not be misinterpreted by the brick kiln owners as giving them a further oppurtunity in respect of matters finally dealt with by the State in the orders dated June 13, 2021 covering about 172 brick kilns. The status report filed by the State should be forwarded to advocate for the petitioners.
07.08.2021	Joint Committee along with Cbe DRO, Cbe North RDO, Cbe North Tahsildar, Revenue Inspector, VAOs inspect the subject area Joint Committee report by 4 members received by NGT on 07.08.2021 with certain note e filed on 21.09.2021 and received by NGT on 22.09.2021
09.08.2021 (signed originally on 15.07.2021)	(TNPCB independent report submitted date at NGT; Report originally signed on 15.07.2021 by TNPCB)	Brick Kilns in the 5 villages of Thadagam Valley have neither applied shape nor have obtained consent to operate from TNPCB The units fall in HACA villages and do not have approved layout plan and do not meet siting criteria.
13.09.2021	RDO of Cbe North Taluk is requested to conduct survey of mining activities in entire subject area such as river courses, stream, odai, drain etc., leased land, patta land, poramboku land etc., to assess the quantum of mining carried out legally & illegally and notified/prescribed penalty for illegal mining	vide District Collector Rc.No.650/mines/2021 dated 13.09.2021
22.09.2021	NGT gives new directions to Joint Committee	TNPCB, Dept of Mining & Geology and Cbe Collector should file independent statement regarding action taken for violations noted by them To ascertain the damage caused to the environment, instead of appointing NEERI, a senior scientist from CPCB, Chennai can be included as a member of Joint Committee The New Joint Committee should: a) inspect and ascertain the damage caused to the environment b) propose remedial measures to remediate the situation and c) submit a further report
07.10.2021	New Joint Committee with a senior scientist CPCB, meets through video conference
26.10.2021	New Joint Committee meets at Cbe Dist.Collectorate;	Ass.Ex.Engineer SEIAA did not attend
20.10.2021	Senior Scientist, CPCB asks for details from various departments to assess the damage due to mining activities	impact on Ground Water by mining activity Details of river courses as stream, odai., and impact of mining on their flow
10.11.2021	The above details were requested from the Chief Engineer, Chennai with a copy marked to PWD, Ground Water Division Cbe (reg. ground water depletion, water quality)	vide District Collector Rc.No.825/Mines/2021 dated 10.11.2021
9.12.2021	Madras High Court accepts the plea from Coimbatore District Collector to dispose Writ Petition No.28475 of 2019 by TMS Rajendran, as its two demand have been met	Madras High Court disposes WP No 28475 and directs him to NGT - It says:  that if he has any grievance with regard to the closure of the illegal brick kilns and the constitution of a committee for the assessment of damages due to the operation of brick kilns, he can avail remedy before the National Green Tribunal.
9.12.2021	W.P.No.28475, WMP Nos 28183 and 28185 of 2019 and WMP Nos 185, 9121,10800,23797 and 23836 of 2021 - Acting CJ Munishwar Nath Bhandari and P.D.Audikesavalu	Constitute a committee of experts from the fields of Geology and Mining, Water resources, Health, Ecology and Environment and Agriculture so as to assess the damages done to the ecology and general public by the illegal brick kilns pending disposal of the writ petition. additional Govt Pleader representing the State said 1) illegal brick kilns have been closed 2) even a committee has been constituted to determine the damages out of the operation of the illegal brick kilns. Hence nothing survives in the petition. Advocate Wilson representing WMP Nos 9121 and 10800 of 2021 objected to the maintainability of the writ petition in reference to the prayer for assessment of the damages done to ecology and general public. reference to Sections 14 and 15 of the NGT Act, 2010 has been made to emphasise the jurisdiction of the NGT in ref to that prayer made by the petitioner. Thus, even the writ petition is not maintainable. Additional Government Pleader appearing for the State has made a submission regarding the constitution of the committee. Thus even the last prayer in the writ petition gets satisfied. As per sections 14 and 15 of the Act of 2010, jurisdiction for it lies with NGT. We are disposing the writ petition 28475 rendering it to be infructuous so far as the closure of the illegal brick kilns is concerned and insofar as constitution of a committee for the assessment of damages due to operation of illegal brick kilns is concerned, if the petitioner has any grievance, he can avail the remedy before NGT. WMP Nos 28183 and 28185 of 2019 and WMP Nos 185, 9121, 10800, 23797 and 23836 of 2021 are closed.
29.12.2021	RTI Reply from : பொறி.ப.திருமூர்த்தி, பி.இ., உதவி செயற்பொறியாளர், நீ.வ.து., பாசன உட்கோட்டம், கோயம்புத்தூர் To: எஸ்.ஏ.சின்னசாமி, தலைவர்,  தமிழக விவசாயிகள் சங்கம், 289, சின்னசாமி ரோடு, (அக்ரோமில்ஸ் பின்புறம்), சித்தாபுதூர், கோவை 44 க.எண்.கோ 54/2021நாள்:29.12.2021 விவசாயிகள் குறை தீர்க்கும் நாள் மனு எண்: ஏஜிடிபி 635 நாள்: 26.11.2021	கோரிக்கையின் விவரம்: கோவை-அன்னூர் நிலத்தடி நீர்மட்டம் உயர்த்துதல் தொடர்பாக மேற்கொண்ட நடவடிக்கை பற்றிய விவரம்: மனுவில் குறிப்பிட்ட பகுதிகளில் [மேற்கு தொடர்ச்சி மலை அடிவாரத்தில் உள்ள தடாகம் பகுதியில்] பலமுறை ஆய்வு மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டுள்ளது. சென்ற பல வருடங்களாக இப்பகுதிகளில் மிக அதிக அளவில் மண் எடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. ஆதலால், நீர்வழித்தடங்கள் மிகவும் பாதிப்படைந்துள்ளது. இவ்விடங்கள் வருவாய்த்துறை கட்டுப்பாட்டில் வருவதால் நீர்வளத்துறை மற்றும் வருவாய்த்துறை இணைந்து கூட்டு ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டு திட்டம் செயலாக்கம், கருத்துரு மற்றும் நிதி ஆதாரம் பெற்றால் மட்டுமே இப்பகுதி நீர்வழித் தடங்களை மீட்டெடுக்க முடியும் எனத் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்ளப்படுகிறது.
04.01.2022	Executive engineer, WRO, Coimbatore has furnished a reply to the above	vide his letter in Rc.No.1(a)/Misc/AEC/2021/ kovai dated 04.01.2022
04.01.2022	Santhala Devi submits her book “Stuck in the Days of Abundance: The Strange Case of streams of Thadagam Valley” to the District Collector Coimbatore, and Head of Joint Committee on assessing the damages to Thadagam Valley
25.01.2022	Tmt.P.Rajeswari, IFS., Member Secretary, TN-SEIAA, submits “Reply Affidavit” at the NGT	No application seeking Environment Clearance/Terms of Reference (ToR) was received for mining activity of Savudu & Gravel from the 5 revenue villages Activity of brick kiln industry does not attract EIA notifications, 2006 as amended
01.02.2022	Status Report to NGT by the 7th Respondent (Cbe Dist Collector) filed	The survey work has been completed in around 600 survey fields in the 5 revenue villages Post survey works like compilation of data, verification of the results, generation of maps is in progress; the detailed conclusive report would be furnished before NGT after the compilation of the survey works NGT is prayed for accepting the status report, and grant 3 months time period for submission of the final report
2.2.2022	NGT OA No 119 of 2021 (SZ) & IA Nos. 22 of 2022 and 23 of 2022	TMS Rajendran Respondent 14. Santhala Devi Respondent 15, Thadagam Ganesh Respondent 16 represented by Advocate T Mohan - impleaded in the case