168 families face eviction as legal fight for restoring river intensifies

Encroachments on the banks of Konthuruthy river

A house built on the banks of Konthuruthy river in Thevara.– Photo: Thulasi Kakkat

Uncertainty looms large over the lives of 168 families living on the banks of Konthuruthy River in Thevara as they fear that they may be evicted while restoring the river to its original width.

The Revenue authorities had earlier carried out surveys on the flanks of the river and marked its boundaries based on the original extent of the river. The survey had revealed that many families had encroached on its banks, said K.J. Tomy, a resident of Konthuruthy area who took up the issue.

The river has been reduced to a channel carrying toilet waste and filth. Toilets of large number of houses are directly opened to the river leading to serious environment pollution. It has also become a breeding ground of mosquito, said Mr. Tomy.

Konthuruthy River is linked to Vembanad Lake ecosystem through which once vessels used to navigate. Encroachment and other environment violations have affected the river system, which was the lifeline of the area once. The civic authorities have been long ignoring the violations. While restoring the river to its original extent, it should also be made navigable, said Mr. Tomy who has approached the National Green Tribunal on the issue.

Mr. Tomy argued that the restoration of the river to its original extent was a crucial step towards protecting the environment. The legal fight is for restoring and saving the river system for future generations, he argued.

At the same time, P.R. Ranish, a Corporation councillor representing Thevara area in the council, said that any such attempts to remove the families living in the area for decades together would be an inhuman act. There are around 700 people in these families, who belong to economically weaker section of the society, he said.

The local body has also attempted to serve notice on the family members following a direction from the District Collector. The civic body should take some steps for rehabilitating the poor people who are trying to build their lives, he said.

Responding to a submission from Mr. Ranish in the Kochi Corporation council recently, Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany said the local body can act only within the premises of law. The local body would wait for the judicial agencies to decide on the issue and act accordingly, he informed the Council.