The district administration has initiated action against an attempt to reclaim nearly 40 acres of paddy fields in Haripad. District Collector N. Padmakumar prevented the illegal activity that was undertaken by two landowners in violation of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act.
According to official sources, the incident came to light when a team led by Mr. Padmakumar was inspecting the Nelpurakadavu padasekharam in connection with the implementation of the proposed farm tourism project on Wednesday. This was when three excavators were found to be used for reclaiming paddy land in the nearby Parambikkeri padasekharam. A section of the paddy field was being dug for converting it into a dry land.
The Collector directed the police to confiscate the excavators that were being used for the purpose. An inspection was also conducted by Deputy Collector K.R. Chithradharan to ascertain whether the activity had violated in the Act. A detailed report in this regard will be submitted to the Collector.
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Official sources said that an inspection that was undertaken by the village officer, Suja Varghese, found that two landowners who hailed from Thrikkunnapuzha had already converted 11.21 acres of paddy field. After having bought the plot recently, they attempted to reclaim the entire plot having area of nearly 40 acres. The paddy fields had been used for cultivation until recently. Action will be adopted after serving the landowners with notices, they said.