KOCHI: People of Manakkamala hill, who have been fighting the mining mafia for the past several months are hoping for a favourable verdict from the National Green Tribunal. The NGT is expected to give its verdict on Monday . The dark damp cave on the top of Manakkamala hill that spans over 50 acres in the sleeping hamlet of Mulanthuruthy , leads you to the temple of Chottanikkara. The entire hill, owned by private parties, was leased out for mining in February . It took some time for the residents and political outfits in the area to find that a portion of the hill had been razed down. "Over 100 loads of red th was removed every day earth was removed every day until it was forcibly stopped on February 19. The fact that the firm which carried out mining has powerful connections has upset residents," said P A Thankachan, leader of Manakkamala Samrakshana Samiti. Over eight months, despite resistance, numerous attempts were made by the mining mafia to transport red earth forcibly . They had even sought police protection for transporting soil. The mining firm had got the nod from mining and geology department and the state environment impact assessment authority to mine 51,000 cu m of red earth. The volume equals a tank that can store 5.10 crore litres of water. Greens alleged that the permissions were given without conducting scientific studies. "Manakkamala is a major watershed area. Over 500 acres of paddy land bordering the hill remain wet throughout the year because of the hill," said Thankachan. "The hill falls under Ramsar sites. The range of activities that can be carried out on the land is highly restricted," said scientist at Centre for Water Resources Development and Management Abdul Hameed who inspected the place.