KOLLAM: The corporation authorities have decided to take steps against the encroachments at the historic Buckingham canal at Thangasseri here and reclaim the land. The canal built by the Portuguese about 450 years ago inside Fort Thomas had been reduced to a mere water stream by encroachers. A team led by Kollam Mayor V. Rajendra Babu visited the spoton Monday and said the corporation would seek government intervention in the matter.
The plight of the heritage site was reported by DC last week. The canal was used for transportation of merchandise by ships that called at the ancient Quilon port.
After the Portuguese, the Dutch captured the fort. The canal was later known as the Buckingham canal when the Dutch surrendered it to the British East India Company in 1795.
The mayor said, "the widespread encroachment in the area will be considered seriously. The land grab falls under the jurisdiction of the revenue department, but the corporation will take action to reclaim the land as the area is historically important," he added.
The encroachments have been made by private parties and even resorts as the area has good land value making it attractive for real estate mafia. The district collector had recently issued a notice prohibiting reclamations and construction in the area.
One of the encroachers has been booked under the Land Conversation Act. The taluk surveyor has been asked to fix the boundaries of the canal after conducting a survey.
