Encroachers eat up Munnar: Kerala police

KOCHI: Munnar and other ecologically sensitive areas in Idukki district are facing  irreparable environmental damage due to the unprecedented levels of encroachment, land grab and illegal constructions by resort-makers and granite quarry operators. According to a report  submitted to the district administration by former Idukki district superintendent of police A.V. George, building construction and quarrying pose a grave threat to the environment in the region and the Western Ghats as a whole.

A copy of the 33-page report dated on January 5 in the possession of this newspaper gives a graphic account of the situation. Ironically, Mr George was transferred from Idukki and posted as rural SP Ernakulam immediately after the submission of the report.   The report indicted the officials at several places for conniving with resort and quarry mafia and called for stringent action against the guilty. The encroachments are taking place in areas coming under 18 police stations of Munnar, Kattappana and Thodupuzha police sub-divisions.

The report comprised photographs of 12 resorts under construction in violation of rules and many granite quarries under the police station limits. The report submitted to Idukki sub-collector Dr Sreeram Venkatraman called for taking urgent steps to end the menace and suggested four immediate  measures to mitigate the situation. These include legislation to  ban construction of buildings above three floors in the district, banning of granite quarrying in Western Ghats region and issuing of stop memo to the existing work permit of a granite quarry at Vellikkalthery coming under the Santhanpara police station.

It suggested a ban on cultivation of eucalyptus and similar species of plants known for intense water consumption and uprooting of existing eucalyptus plantations responsible for the depleting water table in the region. It also called for immediate eviction of all encroachers and attachment of the encroached property to the government. The report concluded that in an  ecologically fragile place like Idukki, buildings are constructed with sole motive of profit alone, destroying the ecological balance.

“It is clear that many of these building are built with official connivance. They have no proper safety and in case of a disaster like fire or natural calamity, lives will be in danger due to lack of access for fire force and other rescue services. The mandatory stipulation that buildings of three floors and above should have access to roads for fire fighters has been violated due to the silence of the officials concerned. Stringent action should be initiated against such officials,” it said.

The report also called for a “social audit of ongoing building constructions in areas such as Munnar, Chinnakkanal and Palliavasal and stringent action against violators of rules.” Failure to take action will “damage the invaluable and rare plant and animal life in the region causing serious loss and difficulties to future generations,” it added. The report stated: “Conservation of Western Ghats without destruction of water, soil, air and other natural resources is not the responsibility of the Government alone. The individuals also have  a duty in this regard.”