THE Madras High Court has directed the authorities concerned to stop all illegal quarrying/mining activities in the hill area of The Nilgiris. Wherever mining or quarrying was being carried out unauthorisedly they should be , sealed forthwith and further action taken in accordance with law, the First Bench observed. The Bench was passing interim orders on a public interest writ petition from an organisation called 'In Defence of Environment and Animals' alleging illegal mining and quarrying operations in several places in Uthagamandalam.The authorities were not taking effective steps to prevent such illegal operations, petitioner contended. The Bench also directed the Regional Transport Officer in Uthagamandalam to ensure full compliance and implementation of a notice dated February 22,