National Green Tribunal notice on encroachments in Munnar

CHENNAI: The National Green Tribunal Chennai has taken a suo motu case against encroachments in Munnar and slapped notices on the Idukki district collector, Forest-Environment Secretary, State Pollution Control Board chairman, Forest Principal Chief Conservator, and Munnar Municipal Commissioner. The case will be considered on May 3. The tribunal’s notices were based on media reports about illegal constructions and mining, which upset the natural ecosystem and mountains of the once pristine hill station. Reports also exposed rampant pollution and resorts constructed in blatant violation of the environmental law.

Water resources have been also filled up. Private parties, government employees and politicians had encro-ached land, say media reports. The district revenue authorities recently tried to stem the rot but the Government did not appreciate the officials’ stance. As a result, the anti-encroachment drive has been halted in Munnar. Union Minister C.R. Chaudhary recently visited the encroached land in Munnar and submitted a report to the Prime Minister. The tribunal’s suo motu case now takes Munnar out of local politics and puts its under national scanner.