MLA P V Anvar's park turns thorn for administrators

KOZHIKODE: The controversy over the amusement park owned by Mr P.V. Anwar, MLA, which is spread over two districts and three panchayats, has put the respective  district administrations of Kozhikode and Malappuram and the three local administrative bodies  in a fix. The major part of the water theme park, including the amusement area,  is  in the Koodaranji panchayat of Kozhikode district while the reservoir and pillars of the upcoming ropeway are  located in Kakkadampoyil, 2000 feet above sea level in Oorgattery panchayat. Part of the park is located in the Chaliyar panchayat of Malappuram district.

Interestingly,  the Kakkadampoyil town also is spread over  two districts.   While the Malappuram district administration has taken  strong action against the project, the Kozhikode  administration says that the construction of the park on its side is in tune with  rules and regulations. Kozhikode collector U.V. Jose told DC that as per the direction of Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekharan, the district administration had  started an inquiry. “A team led by the deputy collector will visit the spot soon. We will submit  a report within a week,”  he added.    Mr Jose also said that such projects fall  under the purview of local administrative bodies and there was no need of any no-objection certificate from the district administration.

However,  environmental activists allege that the park has come up violating the forest and environmental laws and regulations. The reservoir with two-lakh-litre capacity was constructed without clearance from various departments, it was alleged. Former Nilambur DFO was transferred by the government as he took a strong stand against the project and submitted a series of reports to the department on massive destruction of the eco-system, it was alleged.

But the Koodaranji panchayat of Kozhikode district has supported the park. Koodaranji panchayat president Solly Joseph told DC that the NOC was given to the project as per the acts and rules binding on  the local body. “We  handed over all the documents regarding the project to  the higher-ups when the controversy started. So far none of them has pointed out any anomalies in our procedures. We are ready to correct ourselves if somebody points out  any mistake,”  she added.