Kannur: Greens all set to resist Mangrove park

Kannur: Environment activists have decided to oppose the revival of the Mangrove theme park at Pappinissery tooth and nail. The plan for revival was mentioned by Industries minister E.P Jayarajan on environment day at Pappinissery.

The park, owned by CPM controlled Pappinissery Eco-tourism Society (PETS), was inaugurated on April 4, 2010 claiming to be for the ‘research purpose of mangroves’. But greens under the aegis of the District Environment Samiti vehemently protested against the project. Besides the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA) had denied permission. It was shut down on October 22 in the same year following the order of the Union ministry of forests and environment.

According to A.V Ajayakumar, the vice-president of PETS, the Supreme Court had given them permission to open the park subject to HC directives. “The HC directive is to open the park for non-commercial purposes. We will revive it for the research and study of mangroves completely adhering to the court order,” he told DC. He lamented that the opposition to the park was purely political.

Bhaskaran Velloor, environmental activist, said it was not easy to revive the park sans the permission of KCZMA. “It is unlikely to open. If they revive by using any means, we will oppose tooth and nail,” Mr Bhaskaran told DC. Bhaskaran Velloor, Hari Chakkarakkal, Asha Chakkarakkal and Kanam Kunjiraman , all green activists, were beaten up by CPM workers on the inaugural day of the park. “The intention behind the park is nothing but commercial. They have constructed a Swimming Pool inside the park destroying many mangroves. It has been designed as a leisure place for urban folks destroying the natural habitat of 30 species of mangroves,” alleges Bhaskaran Velloor.

Hari Chakkarakkal points out that mangrove need silence for their natural growth. “How does the presence of people enhance the growth of mangroves?,” he asks.

Meanwhile CPM district secretary P. Jayarajan had declared the party’s support to PETS in reviving the park. Earlier, the DCC had come out against the minister’s remarks.