Kochi: The development policies followed in Kerala for the past many years without any regard for the ecology of the state has been termed as “suicidal” by Prof Amita Singh of the Centre for Study of Law and Governance, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.
Prof. Singh, part of a five-member team of professors from JNU, undertaking a study funded by University Grants Commission on vulnerabilities of Western Ghats, says floods ravaging the state for the past few days could be described as a “chronicle of a disaster foretold.”
Systematic violation of rules in areas like coastal regulation, destruction of mangroves, widespread encroachment in ecologically sensitive hill ranges and the multiplicity of regulatory bodies are some of the major issues facing the state, she said. “The flood situation in the state should be treated as a wake-up call for policymakers for a course correction. If they continue to pursue the same policy prescription it will lead to further disasters,” she said.
“We travelled through the length and breadth of the state a few months ago, and the damage and destruction seen in places such as the Kochi Coast, Munnar Hills, Wayanad and High Ranges of Malappuram district could be termed only as disastrous."
“In the name of development what is happening is worse than maniacal,” she added.
The inconsistency of the judicial eco-system in the country in dealing matters with ecology has also contributed to the worsening of the situation, she said.
In an article named Coastal Ballads and Conservation Ironic; Understanding Implementation Slippages of the CRZ Law, she pointed out: “Fragile ecosystems of water bodies have not been appropriately located in many judgments delivered in the last two decades”.
“Inconsistent judicial interpretations can be demonstrated to swirl around three pillars; the CRZ land use restrictions, public trust doctrine and the irresponsible and unaccountable governance institutions”.
She cited the contradictory judgments by the Kerala High Court in a case related to violation of CRZ norms by DLF in Kochi.
