Demand for social audit of canals

Kochi: The traditional canals and water bodies in Kochi city and Ernakulam district in general should be subjected to a social audit and mapping immediately in view of the havoc created by the floods.  The destruction of canals and wetlands in the city and its outskirts has been identified as one of the major reasons for the floods leading widespread loss and damages.

Speaking to this newspaper on Saturday P.T. Thomas MLA has said that social audit and mapping of the canals has to be given top priority. Every major canal in the Kochi city has been either encroached or reduced to dumping wastes, he said.