Construction debris harm mangrove in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: Construction materials are being dumped on the banks of Canoly canal posing a threat to the mangroves on nearly 60 cents of land near Puthiyapalam. While the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) confirms that the site is being used to stock construction materials needed for the work of Pushpa Junction-Mankavu Road, the locals say the land was reclaimed to construct a clinic.

Environmentalist A. Achuthan said both the construction and reclamation would affect the mangroves in the area. “The mangroves need wetlands as well as saline water to survive. The construction debris will also harm the mangroves. It is unfortunate that we are yet to regulate Acts like Coastal Zone Regulation for the conservation of mangroves,” said Mr Achuthan. ULCCS officials confirmed that they were given filled land for stocking construction materials.