KOCHI: Green activists accuse some individuals and promoters of the Vyttila Mobility Hub of reclaiming Chilavannoor backwaters, part of unique Vembanad ecosystem. “There are large-scale construction activities in Chambakkara canal close by," said Dr G.D. Martin, a researcher. “A large chunk of mangroves forests have gone.” Vembanad Lake is one of the 26 Ramsar sites in India and unscientific reclamation will inflict further damages to it.
“The site has shrunk from 360 to 214 sq.km. Although they violate the CRZ rules and other regulations, authorities have done nothing to prevent them. It will hit the water flow and lead to slush accumulation,” he said The district now has less than one percent of mangroves, which checks saline water invasion and plays a crucial role in fish reproduction. Destruction of mangroves will further hit the already declining fish wealth of Vembanad Lake.
