Kochi: Call to save Mangalavanam

Kochi: Stating that Kochi Corporation should take stringent steps to preserve Mangalavanam and its buffer zone in the heart of the city, renowned ecologist Madhav Gadgil on Wednesday urged local bodies to avail “Conservation Service incentive” from the Centre for the preservation of small habitats.

“Kochi Corporation should claim the incentive as there is such a legal provision under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. It should work out the maintenance expenses and claim them for making strong conservation efforts. In fact all local bodies should do the same,” Gadgil said after inaugurating a human chain protest here as part of the ‘Save Mangalavanam’ campaign.

“Wetlands like Managalavanam are the last of the remaining natural habitats. A lot of conservation activities need to be taken with respect to the stte to protect small biodiversity habitats like ‘Sarpakkavs’ besides the sanctuaries like Periyar Tiger reserve,” the chairman of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel said.

The protest, held under the leadership of Hibi Eden MLA, was against the Railways’ plan to renovate the Ernakulam Old Railway Station near Mangalavanam by cutting 182 trees. The Ernakulam MLA is the chairman of the state government appointed advisory committee to look into the issue.

On another controversial issue, the Athirappilly power project being taken up by the state government, Gadgil charged that the force behind the project threatening biodiversity in the region was the construction lobby. “I have submitted a report detailing the after effects of the project to the state government,” he said.

Hibi, while demanding that the green cover surrounding Mangalavanam should be declared as its buffer zone, said the cutting of trees would affect the very existence of the bird sanctuary, the city’s green lung.