Environmentalists have voiced concerns over the rising incidents of encroachment along the Periyar. After the recent incident of residents of an apartment block trying to build a playing area for children, another similar incident has come to light wherein an individual encroached upon 90 sq metres along the Periyar water.
The District Collector has issued orders to the Additional Tahasildar of Paravur taluk to evict the encroacher and retrieve the land.
The environmentalists had registered a complaint with the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, alleging that it was Kanappally Joshy George, a member of the Kadungalloor panchayat and a Congress worker, who had extended his property by 90 square metres into the riverbed.
They further stated that such incidents had become very common and they can have far-reaching and adverse consequences on the ecology, if no action is taken.
On confirming that Joshy George has reclaimed 90 sq mt of land from the river illegally, the District Collector issued a notice empowering the Additional Tahsildar to evict the encroacher and retrieve the area.
The Collector mentioned in his order that the river and the river bank are government property and maintaining their ecological balance is a responsibility of the government.
The Collector further mentioned that the Tahsildar might not delay the eviction process as it has been a request from the Chief Justice of the High Court.
The Tahsildar has also been ordered to report back once the eviction procedure is completed.