KOTTAYAM: A controversy has erupted over the filling of over one acre of wetland at Pulickalchira, near Kanjikuzhy here. Though it is dry land according to the revenue records, it comes under the wetland category as a rivulet, Pulickalchira, runs near the land. When the filling started on March 3, the village authorities of Muttambalam, under which it comes, did not take any action claiming that it is dry land. However, after the locals protested, the district administration ordered an inquiry and the village officer has decided to issue a stop memo to land owner Urumbath Joseph.
Mr Biju Mathew, village officer, told this newspaper that the memo will be issued on Thursday. As per law, dry land could be filled, he said.
District collector B.S. Thirumeny said that wetlands could not be filled and that the district administration would take stern action against the rule violation.
When this reporter visited the spot, the filling of the land was going on unabated.
