THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Thursday said the government would approach the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal on the Mullaperiyar issue.
The chief minster expressed concern over the safety of people living downstream and the threat to forest area because of the increase in water level. “Our primary concern is about the safety of people who are living in the area.
Since the water level has almost reached 142 ft, there is widespread concern and anxiety among the local people. We need to allay their fears,’’ he told media persons.
The Chief Minister said that the water level which had been raised beyond 136ft for the first time in the past 35 years has posed a serious threat to the flora and fauna.
He said vast tracts of forest land had also come under the water and even animals are facing serious threat due to rising water levels . “We will apprise the apex court and NGT about our concerns,’’ he said.
Mr Chandy said that 1058 cubic feet of water was flowing into the Mullaperiyar dam reservoir and till Wednesday Tamil Nadu was taking only 150 cubic feet when it could have taken 2100 cubic feet.
On Thursday they have even stopped taking 150 cubic feet which clearly means that they want to raise the level to 142.
Meanwhile, at a press conference Revenue Minister Mr Adoor Prakash said that nobody would be forcefully shifted from the banks of Mullaperiyar.
“The government had asked those who were living in the immediate banks of the rivers to shift when the water level touched 140 feet. But no one was compelled to shift,” he said.
The Minister said that two battalions of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with 30 members each had been deployed in the area. Besides, One battalion each will also be stationed at Vandperiyar and Upputhara.
