I N C O U R T

ILLEGAL QUARRYING STOPPED: TheBombay High Court has asked thestate government to halt illegalquarrying in Thane and NaviMumbai. A public interest petitionmoved in the court claimed unrestrictedquarrying at nine locations iscausing irreversible environmentaldamage to the scenic hills of Thaneand Navi Mumbai. It also stated thataccording the Thane collectorate noquarrying lease has been granted forthese sites. Thecourt asked governmentagenciesincluding the stateenvironment andforest departmentto submit report onthe extent of the environmentaldamage and the status of quarryingactivities. The petitioner, PradipIndulkar, a local businessmanactivist,said the civic agencies planto allow quarry activities.