Thrissur: The Thrissur corporation council has decided to start paddy farming in its 3.6 acres of wetland in the Lalur division of Aranattukara village. The wetland, which has been lying idle for several decades, was recently in the news after Lalur councillor Lali James dumped several tuck loads of waste soil there saying the reclaimed portion could be used for ‘Pakal Veedu’ project. This was neither discussed nor approved in the civic body. The councillor also claimed that she was trying to protect a well in the area which could be used for drinking water project.
But the waste was dumped in the wetland and not around the well. When revenue officials inspected the land as instructed by Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar, the councillor failed to produce any document on her plan in her division, said the revenue officials in Thrissur taluk office. District collector A. Kowsigan sent an order to restore the reclaimed wetland to the tahsildar on May 31. But the revenue officials have not yet taken any action on it.
Deputy mayor Varghese Kandamkulathi told DC that the issue of utilising the wetland was discussed as the ninth agenda in the last council. It was decided to use the 3.6 acres of land lying in 818 survey number of the village for paddy farming. The standing committee on development projects will take a decision to lease out the land. “The reclaimed portion will be restored for paddy cultivation,” he added.
