The residents of Illithode at Malayattoor-Neeleeswaram grama panchayat are up in arms against the proposed mini-industrial park. Recently, the natives have staged protests against the project which they allege would destroy the pristine beauty of the region. The proposed industrial park project is being developed by the district industrial centre in eight acres of land. It is learnt that the park will house small-scale industries.
Though residents allege that the project would be an environmental threat to the region, the panchayat officials had said that less ornon-polluting units would only come up in the region.
“Illithode is one of the prominent tourist destinations in the Malayattoor-Neeleeswaram grama panchayat. If an industrial park comes up in that area, the scenic beauty will surely be lost. Apart from that in all likelihood, the river Periyar will be polluted. There are reports that some red category industries are going to come up in the region. Since land is not available majority of the areas in Ernakulam district for setting up large industrial parks, the untapped areas in Malayattoor panchayat may fall prey to future proposals,” said Santhosh, a native of the region.
Illithode in Mulankuzhi village is only 10km from the town of Malayatoor and about 60km from Kochi.
The Iringol forests, is about three km away from Illithode. Kodanad, which has a prominent elephant training camp is close by, making it a strategic location for tourism.
Radhakrishnan Chengattu, president, Malayattoor-Neeleeswaram grama panchayat said though the panchayat has not received any official intimation regarding the project, he has received a call from the district industries centre regarding the project.
“The project is at a very nascent stage. According to my knowledge, only small industries are going to come in the proposed park. But people with vested interest are behind the protest against the project,” he added.
He claimed that the protestors could not garner the support of any political parties as everyone knows that it is not a genuine agitation.