A two-day district conference of the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP), which concluded at Chelannur SN College on Sunday, sought the government to take immediate steps to protect the ecologically important Kottuli wetlands situated in the heart of the city.
The conference observed that Kottuli spread across more than 100 hectares is among 27 nationally important wetlands listed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Pointing out several instances of constructions in the wetlands violating the Coastal Zone Regulation Act, the KSSP asked the government to initiate urgent measures to remove such illegal constructions in the area found out by the Kerala State Coastal Zone Management Authority.
Rs.8-crore State project
The Parishad also wanted Kottuli wetlands included in the Rs.8-crore comprehensive wetland protection project being prepared by the State government.
The conference, which discussed various contemporary issues and the possibilities of constructive intervention by the science movement in them, urged the authorities to strengthen the laws to check food adulteration and indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides in the cultivation of food crops and vegetables.
“At present, the laws against crimes related to adulteration of food are vague and ineffective,” maintained the conference urging the government to introduce effective measures to prevent hotels and food outlets from selling unhealthy food items.
Office-bearers
The conference elected K. Prabhakaran as the district president and P. Vijayan as secretary of the KSSP. V.T. Nasar and V. Muraleedharan are the new vice presidents.
