Massive CRZ violations near Vembanad lake

Alappuzha: The ecologically-fragile regions surrounding Vembanad lake have witnessed massive violations of CRZ rules for a long period. A resort built at Nediathuruthu island of Panavally panchayat was demolished following court orders, but another is still caught in legal battles.

The multi-crore Vamika Island (Green Lagoon Resort) was razed after the Supreme Court dismissed the review petition, but the Rs 350-crore Kapico project consisting of 72 luxurious villas still remains there.

The High Court had ordered their demolition based on a petition filed by K. Sailan of Panavally panchayat alleging CRZ violations in 2013. The orders were passed by a division bench comprising justices K. M. Joseph and K. Harilal.

Sailan has filed a contempt plea in the Supreme Court for non-implementation of the order by the authorities concerned, and the court may take it up next month. "The case was delayed due to the non-cooperation of the state and central governments. The Union government has submitted a report in the court prepared by a team appointed by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest. The Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA) has also studied the matter and handed over a report to the additional chief secretary (environment). The court may take a final call this time," he said.

Sailan said the Kapico promoter refused to demolish the structure after a person from Panavally moved the court saying that the demolition will produce huge quantities of waste and derail the ecosystem of the river. The court asked the parties to maintain status quo till the end of the hearing. But the petitioner failed to attend the hearing and the court fined him," Sailan said.

The apex court had asked the state government on August 1, 2013 to report the cases of CRZ violations in Vembanad lake areas within six months. It asked the High Court on August 8, 2016 to hear the cases relating to Vembanad lake encroachments on an urgent basis as the area is classified as Critically Vulnerable Coastal Area (CVCA) as per  CRZ notification 2011.  Though the lake is declared as a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance), at least 33 percent of ecosystem has shrunk in the last 50 years.

P. V. Joseph, an activist of Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishat (KSSP), Alappuzha unit, said the CRZ violations should be considered in the background of the post-2018 floods in the state.

"Substantial portions of revenue lands in the state are wetlands and forests resulting in a shortage of buildable land parcels. Ecologically fragile areas, including Vembanad, are converted for public infrastructure projects as well as for private enterprises. The CRZ violations continue to happen in spite of various rules.

The High Court has also ruled to include a clause in building rules so that natural drains and streams should not be obstructed by buildings," he said.