The Kerala High Court today directed the state government to ensure that no construction activity takes place at the hill station of Munnar in Idukki district, without the No Objection Certificate issued by the Revenue Department or Panchayat authorities. <br/><br/>The order comes in the wake of a public interest litigation filed by an eco-interest group, "One Earth, One Life", drawing the court's attention to the encroachments and constructions rampant in the hill resort.<br/><br/>A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Mr S R Bannurmath and Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan directed the state government to ensure that no mining of sand, earth or rocks takes place in any part of Munnar for a period of two months.<br/><br/>The Court said no construction activity should be permitted on river banks or river beds and action should be taken to get back possession of such encroached lands.<br/><br/>The Division Bench also asked the government to submit reports about the action taken to prevent encroachments and illegal constructions, besides steps against officials who have failed to discharge their duties.