The reckless filling of wetland in Kottuli and surrounding areas for business ventures has started drawing protests from more and more residents and environmental forums in the city.
The protesters, including residents of the area, members of Yuvadhara Club, and activists of the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad, have sought the urgent attention of the District Collector to a recent incident in which around two acres of wetland was filled for business purpose.
Marshy land converted into a ground
The local people said the wetland, to be protected under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act-2008, was filled after destroying some rare mangroves. The marshy land was converted into a ground evading the eyes of the revenue authorities during the recent election time, they said.
Praveen Kottuli, office-bearer of the Yuvadhara club, said the members of the club would begin the second round of their protest in the area with the cooperation of socio-cultural and environmental leaders within a couple of days.
“We will organise the protest so as to get immediate action from the authorities concerned,” he said.
Parishad plea
Leaders of the district unit of the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad, who recently visited the illegally filled wetland areas, said it was blatant violation of the conservation Act and open attack on the rare variety of mangroves surviving in the area. The illegal conversion of land took place mostly in the Kasaba village, they said.
A.P. Premanand, district secretary of Parishad, said the newly filled two acres of wetland was included in Resurvey Number 989/1 and 2. “We request the immediate intervention of the District Collector to conserve the wetland,” he said.
Mangrove conservation
Leaders of various environmental forums from the area point out that the conservation of the remaining patch of mangroves deserves special attention as it is a major receptacle of flood water from the city and a primary recharge source for potable water sources.
Studies conducted by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management underscored the need to conserve the area as it directly comes under the CRZ Regulation I of the CRZ Notification.
