Corp, dist adm in soup over Akkulam Lake
Lake reclamation by pvt parties viewed seriously by Coastal Zone Management Authority to act against.
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA) has sought an explanation from district collector K. Vasuki for not taking action against the alleged reclamation happening to the Akkulam Lake.
There have been several reports of encroachment of the Akkulam Lake since the election code of conduct came into effect, and none of the authorities including the city corporation and the district administration has taken any solid action to stop the reclamation activities taken up by private parties.
Two weeks have gone by since the KCZMA sought an explanation from the corporation secretary in this regard.
Chairman of KCZMA Usha Titus told DC that the Authority failed to get a response from its secretary and hence decided to seek action from the district collector.
“We need to know the current status and the steps they took to protect the lake from reclamation. Collector has the power to act and stop unauthorised activities happening at Akkulam,” said Ms Titus.
It is learnt that the Authority has the power to take the suo moto case against violators if the collector doesn’t respond to the notice. Corporation secretary Deepa LS. said that she hadn’t received any communication from the KCZMA.
“We don’t permit any construction activities without the clearance from the Coastal Zone Management Authority,” she said.
President of Environment Protection and Research Council (EPRC) Sanjeev S. J., who raised the complaint with the KCZMA, alleged that the inaction of the collector and corporation secretary clearly indicates their unholy alliance with parties engaged in the reclamation of the Lake.
“Apart from issuing a stop memo, the authorities took no action. There is an unholy alliance between the private parties and the authorities,” said Mr Sanjeev.
He said that it’s a clear violation of the CRZ norms. “A football ground is being constructed reclaiming the lake, and all this is happening with the knowledge of the authorities,” said Mr Sanjeev.
He said that the EPRC members are facing threats from unknown parties because they raised the issue.