Kozhikode: People of Eranhipalam and Kootuly on the outskirts of the city allege that the fire at a mangrove forest in these areas was the handiwork of those who want to reclaim land near Swapnanagari wetlands and utilise it for commercial purposes.

A preliminary report of the police says that the fire was not accidental.

The Kandalkadu Samrakshana Samithi (Mangrove Forest Conservation Council) has demanded stern action against those behind the incident.

Plea to local bodies

Samithi convener Vibeesh said here on Saturday that local bodies needed to be alert against such brazen activities unleashed against nature. The incident was a conspiracy hatched by big forces, he alleged.

District Collector Rachna Shah should take up the issue and bring the culprits to book, Mr. Vibeesh said. The samiti members also visited Eranhipalam and Kottuly areas.

Some time ago, the residents in these areas objected to a proposal to clear the mangrove forests and reclaim the land. An agitation was also launched in this regard. At least five times attempts have been made to destroy the mangrove forests.

Petition to Minister

Recently, the samithi members, including retired bureaucrats and ecologists, urged Minister for Environment and Forests A. Sujanapal to take stringent measures against the encroachments in the areas of Kalipoika wetlands, which has been envisaged for the Swapnanagari Eco Project.

Sherly Pramod, corporation councillor, had submitted a memorandum asking him to take action against those illegally reclaiming water sources at Kalipoika wetlands. She had also demanded that the Department of Forests and Wildlife protect the mangrove forest and the water bodies in the area.

The samithi had proposed that the Department of Forests and Wildlife plant mangrove saplings around the public grounds and construct a walkway. It wanted an energy park to be set up in between the bridge and the new forest outpost.

Assistance is to be sought from Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) for establishing solar energy conservation equipment, such as windmill, pumps and streetlights, in the park.

Boat service

The samithi also proposed to retain the link between the Canoly Canal and Kalipoika.

The Kerala Water Authority should hand over the land it owns in the region to the corporation. A playground for children should be established in the area.

The samithi said the Forest and Wildlife and the Tourism departments could cooperate to implement the proposals for starting a boat service at Kalipoika, constructing small bridges and paths on its eastern side, installing solar streetlights and setting up ropeways.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail