Latest news with #SarovaramPrakrithiSamrakshanaSamithi
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- The Hindu
Complaints lodged with Collector over alleged disappearance of earthmover
The Sarovaram Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi and the Vazhathuruthy Residents' Association have lodged separate complaints with the District Collector, alleging irresponsibility on the part of Revenue officials over the disappearance of an earthmover that was under the custody of the Revenue department and its subsequent recovery. The earthmover in question had been confiscated in November 2024 in connection with the alleged destruction of mangroves in the Kottooli wetlands and an attempt to construct a road. For over a month, it could not be moved from the site as one of its tyres had got stuck in the mud. It was later shifted to a nearby plot, where it was to be detained until further notice. However, the earthmover reportedly disappeared on the night of May 16. It was found behind an auditorium near Sarovaram Bio Park three days later. Officials from the Vengeri village office inspected the earthmover and instructed its owners to present it at the office by Wednesday (May 21, 2025). Meanwhile, the Sarovaram Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi alleged that Revenue officials showed no concern for the property they had confiscated. 'They [the officials] shifted the blame, claiming it was the responsibility of the police to look after the earthmover. However, the Nadakkavu police said they had not received any such intimation from the Revenue department,' said P.M. Jeejabai, secretary of the Vazhathuruthy Residents' Association. The Samithi questioned the need to repair a vehicle that was not meant to be used any time soon, as it had been legally confiscated. Tension has been brewing at Vazhathuruthy over the past few months between residents and alleged encroachers of the wetland over attempts to clear mangroves and fill parts of the Kottooli wetlands, a proposed Ramsar site. So far, three earthmovers have been confiscated by the Revenue department for activities that violated the Kerala Paddy and Wetland Protection Act.
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- The Hindu
Landfilling of wetland continues to create tension in Vazhathuruthi
Tension is brewing in the Vazhathurthi area near the Sarovaram Biopark in Kozhikode once again after the workers of the Sarovaram Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi and the Vazhathuruthi Residents' Association successfully stopped an attempt to continue the landfilling of Kottooli wetlands adjacent to a school compound. The workers noticed on Saturday (May 17, 2025)afternoon that the concrete that covers the courtyard of the school was being removed using an earthmover and being dumped into the wetland. This is the same area where they had spotted ongoing landfilling in November 2024 and obtained an order from the Kerala high court to maintain status quo. 'The school authorities claimed that they were only removing the concrete to lay tiles in the courtyard. However, we could see that more construction waste was dumped alongside the building in the wetland, where landfilling was carried out earlier. There were also tyremarks of the earthmover leading to the wetlands', said P.M. Jeejabai Secretary of the Vazhathuruthy Residents Association, that has been active in checking the ongoing landfilling of Kottooly wetlands at Vazhathuruthi. While the local people assembled and questioned the school management over the actions, the Revenue Department confiscated the earthmover. A team of officials led by Village Officer-in charge P. Dhanya of the Vengeri Village reached the spot and noted that the landfilling was indeed a violation of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008. Meanwhile, the Samithi is planning to approach the District Collector with a petition under the Right to Information Act in connection with the disappearance of another earthmover, which was confiscated by the Revenue Department and stored in one of the compounds in the locality. The earthmover, which was confiscated in November 2024 after it was allegedly used to destroy mangroves in the wetlands, was reportedly stolen on Friday night. 'They had destroyed CCTVs in our locality so that we could not know where it was taken to', Ms. Jeejabai said.
