Salem A delegation of the Trinamool Congress met the Tamil Nadu Governor Lt. Surjit Singh Barnala to intervene and stop the Kanchamalai iron ore mining proposals. The Trinamool Congress has launched a state-wide campaign to protect the environment and mineral resources of the State. They have been conducting rally and fasts to highlight degradation of environment and minerals at the hands of officials and politicians who pursue an apathetic environment policy . In the memorandum, the party has pointed out that the Sidhar Kovil Hill which is an ancient hermitage and an off-shoot of Kanchamalai Hills should be protected because it has gained prominence as an important religious place in the region. According to Mass Ganesh, president of Tamil Nadu Trinamool Congress, the party will continue to oppose handing over of mining rights to private players in Kanchamalai. The party will conduct fast unto death if the private mining proposal is not dropped. Besides the Kanchamalai, the vast barren hills have become a target for illegal granite quarrying. Such activities must be strictly monitored and violators must be booked. All mining activities must be carried out only by the government so that the exploitation of natural resources becomes accountable. Mass Ganesh said that the party has already made representation on Kanchamali to the mines and minerals department.