KOCHI: Greens in Ernakulam district have petitioned against the increasing incidents of encroachment on the Periyar river.

In a letter sent to Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, environmentalists pointed out that high-rise buildings have become a common sight along the banks of the Periyar these days. Real estate groups have been cashing in on the growing trend among investors to purchase property close to the river, they said.

Referring to the construction of a hotel complex near Aluva Manalpuram, S. Sitaraman, secretary of the Association for Environment Protection, said that the complex had been set up violating the Kerala River Protection Act. He said the Act had clearly mentioned that construction activities should be done 50 metres away from the riverbank.

Environmentalists had opposed the municipality decision to reclaim the riverbank near Aluva Manalpuram two years back. Following strong protests, the authorities had assured that the area would not be used for setting up big projects.

The greens informed the Chief Minister that increasing number of high-rise buildings would affect the natural lifeline of the river. Quoting the findings included in the Periyar Action Plan, they told the Government authorities that encroachments were found throughout the length of the river.

The Association has also sent a memorandum to the Minister for Water Resources seeking his intervention in checking encroachments on the river. The greens have urged the Minister to suspend all illegal construction activities along areas lying close to the riverbank.

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