In the wake of reports about rampant reclamation of wetlands in Maradu municipality, Fort Kochi Sub-Collector Suhas Sivanna on Tuesday imposed a ‘prohibitory order’ on land reclamation works progressing at a two-acre wet land near here.
“The order was issued after conducting an inspection at the work site near Nettur. A direction with regard to removing the mud and other waste already dumped on the water body has also been issued,” the official said. The party had clearly violated the laws of environmental protection, he added.
Filling of the two-acre property had triggered a widespread public protest with the environmentalists and local residents going up in arms against the revenue officials. According to the protesters, levelling of paddy fields was extensive and the repercussions of land filling would be seriously felt in the region.
Meanwhile, municipal chairman T.K. Devarajan said the civic body had already issued a stop memo to the property owner and had taken up the issue with the revenue officials.
