KOCHI: The details of the unbridled encroachment, multi-storied building constructions and granite quarrying contained in the report submitted by former Idukki superintendent of police A.V. George point towards a total collapse of the regulatory system in the region, experts in the field said. “The report is quite disturbing and is a clear pointer towards the nexus between a section of politicians, officials and uncouth business persons”, said James Zachariah, a former wild life warden in Munnar.
Many of the places mentioned in the report belong to the category of forest land although the ownership of them is with the revenue authorities or private individuals, he said. “The Supreme Court verdict clearly stipulates that forest land cannot be used for non-forest purposes without prior permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate”, he said. The state government should immediately intervene in the matter and initiate appropriate action to prevent such wanton destruction of the environment, he said.
The commercial building boom in the region is also posing grave challenge to wild-life habitat in the region, said Mohan Alembath, another ex-wild life warden and prominent persons behind the Nilgiri Tahr conservation. The unchecked construction and other activities in these areas are disrupting the natural forest paths of wild animals hitting their movement, he said. Wild animals such as elephants use a path for generations and a sudden disappearance of the same due to construction and encroachments lead to the intensification of man-animal conflicts, he added.
N. Badusha of the Wayanad Prakriti Samrakshana Samithi has asked the government to order a probe in to the constructions in Munnar and other ecologically fragile regions in Idukki district. “The issue is not of Idukki alone as similar incidents are taking place in Wayanad too”, he added. If the current trend persists the High Ranges in the state will become memory in near future, he said. The overall development perspective followed by the authorities concerned needed to be reworked for the prevention of such disastrous activities, says John Peruvanthanam, a green activist based in Kochi. The development rationale should be shifted from economic governance to ecological governance, he pointed out.
Report to be routed via CM, says E Chandrashekharan
Revenue Minister E Chandrashekharan said he would examine the report submitted by former Idukki SP regarding widespread encroachments and illegal quarry operations n the district. When asked about the detailed report submitted by former SP A.V. George, he said since the district police chief had compiled the report it would be routed through the chief minister who also holds the home portfolio. “I haven’t received the report yet. But our government is firm on removing all existing encroachments and preventing fresh encroachments in the district,” he said.
DC had reported on Tuesday that former Idukki SP A.V. George had pointed out in his report that Munnar and other ecologically sensitive areas Idukki district were facing irreparable environmental damage due to large-scale encroachments, land grab and illegal constructions by resort mafia and granite quarry operators.
The report has been sent to chief secretary and copies were submitted to Collector and sub collector. According to district administration the report referred to multi storey constructions which were detrimental to the environment and ecology. However the officer has not quoted any violation of specific rules in the district.
The district authorities said that all commercial construction activities in Munnar had been stalled following court direction. Meanwhile, the revenue minister said that only those granite quarries which are functioning subject to the directions of High Court, Supreme Court and having valid licenses were being allowed to operate. He said the government was keeping a close watch on the operations of quarries in the state to check any violation of rules.
