KOCHI: The demand for conserving Shantivanam in Vazhikulangara near North Paravur which is under threat of extinction after the Kerala State Electricity Board cut trees for the Cherai - Mannam 110 KV line, is gaining momentum.
The green lung which is more than 200 years old has three sacred groves, three ponds and a human-made forest.
On Saturday, theatre activist and film writer Sunil Njarackal took out a unique 'funeral procession' from Ernakulam General Hospital to Shantivanam carrying its symbolic dead body.
It carried an epitaph, "Shantivanam (200 years), Vazhikulangara, Paravur, ruthlessly killed by the KSEB".
Several nature lovers have expressed solidarity to the protest by Shantivanam Samrakshana Samithi through a hashtag campaign #SaveSanthivanam on the social media.
Mr Njarakkal and a group of activists have been protesting against its destruction for more than three weeks.
"The 200-year old forest could have been saved if the KSEB changed the alignment slightly. But the officials wanted to save the adjacent plot owned by a former KSEB chairman," said Reji Kottayam, another protestor.
"People in the neighbourhood weren't informed of the cutting of trees. The Board officials have cut around 11 trees though they earlier said that only three would have to be axed."
Construction of a tower in the area is progressing with its foundation in the final stage.
"There has not been any response from the KSEB authorities, but media, nature lovers and residents are supporting us," said Mr Njarakkal.
