THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP) has termed the court’s directive, to amend the paddy conservation laws so as to facilitate levelling of these by common man, as unfortunate.
While the High Court’s observation that, people with money and muscle-power are regularising irregular land-filling and land deals, as absolutely correct, the people expect the court to act against such acts as well, pointed out Parishat in a statement issued here.
The Paddy and Wetland Conservation Act was formulated with a far vision keeping in mind the conservation of nature and health of the society.
While the paddy fields right in the middle of a city might be unused for cultivation, they function as wetlands, which has great relevance in the conservation of the environment and its health. Levelling such islands of wetlands and constructing buildings there, is not the answer, said the Parishat in the statement.
The wetlands function as a sink for rainwater and ensure groundwater even in summer. Droughts and shortage of water has been observed at all places where the wetlands have been levelled, they said. The land owners have no right to change the pattern of the land, argued Parishat.
The court should take a strong stand against those using money and muscle power to change the land-use pattern, which will have far-reaching impacts in the future.