Following ‘City Express’ report that the real estate mafia is gaining hold over Mulavukad, a squad from the District Collectorate inspected the site on Thursday. The team visited the site and interacted with environmentalist and residents about the alleged encroachments. With encroachments on the rise, the residents were on a warpath.
The team which visited the site include Revenue Divisional Officer, Deputy Tahasildar and Village Officer.
The residents said the move on the part of the authorities were encouraging but they were still apprehensive about the outcome. “We will continue with the protest till the whole area is cleared of enchroachments. About 168 acres of land near the Goshree Bridge at Mulavukad was a treasure trove in terms of ecology, but all is lost now,” said T N Prathapan, vice-president Kerala Paristhithi Samrakshana Forum.
“There is a mass destruction of the mangrove forests in the area. The real estate mafia has even erected a compound wall on the 10 acres land and deposited construction materials over it so as to claim rights for the land,” he added. He added that it has been said that the area is not included in the data bank of ecologically-sensitive areas. Therefore, no immediate action could be taken. However, we have decided to take the matter to courts if no substantiate action is taken,” said the vice-president.
The greens also alleged that the encroachment has taken a huge toll on the life of fishermen at Mulavukkad. They alleged that in order to cover up the encroachments, coconut trees were planted after rooting out Mangroove forests.