A study conducted by a group of researchers and nature-bird enthusiasts at the Myristica swamps in Elavupalam near Palode have found a large variety of bird and butterfly species.
The study calls into question the claims made in the Environment Impact Assessment study conducted in the same area as part of the proposed biomedical waste treatment facility to be set up by the Indian Medical Association Goes Eco-friendly (IMAGE).
The team led by ornithologists C.Sushanth and Balachandran and consisting of Kamarudeen, Co-ordinator of the Peringamala Biodiversity Management Committee, members of Warblers and Waders, wildlife photographer Sali Palode and others, conducted the study on Sunday.
A total of 67 bird species, 57 butterfly species and 22 dragonfly species were found from the area in the day-long study. Environmentalists had earlier criticised the Environment Impact Assessment held as part of the biomedical waste treatment plant project, for ignoring the rich biodiversity in the area.
“The EIA even ignores the fact that the whole project area is a swamp, which serves as a water source. So, you cannot expect them to speak about the biodiversity here. But the results of the study we conducted here were much bigger than what we had expected. This region is part of the Agasthyamala biosphere reserve and located adjacent to the Shendurney wildlife sanctuary. It also has presence of wild elephants and boars. It seems the EIA was written even without visiting the place,” says environmentalist S.J. Sanjeev.
The biomedical waste treatment plant now faces an uncertain future, with the Peringamala grama panchayat passing a resolution against it and people cutting across party lines putting up a stiff resistance against it.
