Madurai, Feb. 10 -- A farmer has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court seeking protection of life, the environment, water resources, and agricultural lands in villages surrounding Kallanai in Kalligudi taluk of Madurai district.

A Division Bench comprising Justices G Jayachandran and KK Ramakrishnan ordered notice to the authorities on the petition filed by R Subramaniyan, a resident of Kallanai. The petitioner alleged that illegal quarrying activities in the area had caused severe damage to the surrounding villages

According to him, several stone crushers and blue metal quarries were operating without valid leases, beyond the permitted depth, after the expiry of lease periods, and wi...