Kochi: The state government on Thursday filed a report before the Kerala High Court stating that there are widespread encroachments in Vembanad backwaters. As per the report filed by the revenue officials of Kottayam and Ernakulam districts, there are more than 300 violations, including minor ones. The Kochi corporation secretary stated that there were 33 cases for CRZ violations and notices were served on the land owners to produce NOC from Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority. The Maradu municipality informed that there were 18 cases of CRZ violations under it. Out of 18 cases, files regarding four cases could not be traced out by the municipality, the report stated.
The revenue divisional officer, Kottayam, informed that there were 12 cases. Out of these the panchayat secretary had been directed to initiate proceedings for evicting encroachments by Crystal resorts, Kumarakom village. In the other 11 cases, including Abad hotels and Resorts, Kottayam Club, Backwater Ripples Private ltd, Kottayam Sailing Club, Soori resorts, Ramavarma Union Club, Lakesong resort and Coco Bay Resort, the proceedings had been initiated by the revenue department.
Out of the 12 encroachment cases, the panchayat secretary had been directed to initiate proceedings for evicting the encroachments and in all the other 11 cases, the proceedings had been initiated by the revenue department. The state filed the report on a suo motu case initiated by the Supreme Court with regard to the vulnerable coastal area aspect of Vembanad backwaters. In July, the Supreme Court had transferred the case to the High Court and directed to pass appropriate orders.
The SC pointed out that the lake has immense conservation importance as it supports a large aquatic biodiversity and the most important migrating birds’ habitat. The Vembanad lake shares its bank with 16 panchayats, Maradu municipality and Kochi corporation. The Ernakulam district collector informed that illegal encroachments in the lake can be promptly determined only on completion of the resurvey and demarcation of the boundaries of the lands adjoining Vembanad. The resurvey work of 73 villages has been completed and the resurvey of 54 villages is going on. Vembanad lake was included in the National Lake Conservation Programme.
