THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The inaction of district administration has given a free hand to private parties to reclaim Akkulam Lake, which is shrinking rapidly as authorities turn a blind eye. A football turf is nearing completion by reclaiming the lake blatantly violating the Coastal Regulation Zone Act and Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act.
The revenue wing under the district administration is yet to take any solid action to stop the illegal activities in the area. A stop memo was issued by the Village Officer following complaints regarding the encroachment on the lake. However, apart from serving the notice, the revenue wing has done nothing to actually stop such unauthorised activities.
Assistant commissioner of police, Kazhakoottam, S. Vidhyadharan said that they were not informed about the stop memo. “We cannot act without any direction from revenue authorities. Recently, we seized several trucks but couldn’t initiate legal proceedings because there was no intervention from the revenue authorities. If they had informed us about the stop memo we would have intensified patrolling in the area and taken action,” said Mr Vidhyadharan.
Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) and sub-collector K. Inbasekar told this newspaper that they have constituted a team comprising officials from revenue wing, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation.
“We are planning a massive drive at Akkulam next week. Strict action will be taken against violators,” Mr Inbasekar said.
President of Environment Protection and Research Council (EPRC) Sanjeev S.J., who raised the complaint, alleged that the authorities are delaying action against encroachment deliberately.
“If they had information on illegal activities they should act immediately. Widespread encroachment is happening to Akkulam Lake. I have raised this issue umpteen number of times in the past one month to every department concerned, but they refused to act. They have no concern for environment protection,” said Mr Sanjeev.
