Mangrove deforestation continues unabated in Kannur
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Deforestation of mangroves is continuous unabated in Kannur district.
Kannur is blessed with massive tracts of mangrove forests unfold over authorities and personal lands. However, large-scale felling of mangroves was not too long ago seen in personal lands at Pattuvam, Ezhome, Cherukkunu, and Kandakali in Payyanur. The land is now getting used for Kaipad and shrimp farming.
All mangrove areas come below the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) and are legally protected by the CRZ Act, mentioned N. Ramith, a Wildlife Trust of India member who’s in cost of the Kannur Kandal challenge, which creates consciousness concerning the want for shielding mangroves.
However, there was large destruction of mangroves for Kaipad paddy cultivation and shrimp farming in the district, he mentioned.
Mr. Ramith noticed that whereas violations had been reported in CRZ zones, the virtually steady destruction of mangroves largely goes unreported to the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA). The State has 650 sq.km of inter-tidal area, and shrimp farming is taken up in round 100 sq.km.
“The subsidised scheme implemented by the government for promoting shrimp farming and Kaipad paddy is a threat to mangroves,” he mentioned.
While shrimp farming is finished in round 4 sq.km in Kannur, the subsidised scheme of the federal government is additional encouraging folks to destroy mangroves, Mr. Ramith mentioned, including that it will have severe ramifications for biodiversity and livelihood of individuals.
V. Retheeshan, Forest Range Officer, Taliparamba, mentioned the division had final 12 months filed over 20 instances towards those that allegedly axed grown mangroves. This 12 months, three instances had been filed below the Kerala Promotion of Tree Growth in Non-Forest Areas Act.
The felling of mangroves has gone up significantly to make method for Kaipad paddy cultivation and shrimp farming. According to the Act, farmers ought to acquire permission from the Forest Department earlier than felling mangroves, he mentioned.
District Environment Committee member Vinod Payyada alleged that clearing of mangroves was happening with the data of the authorities.
Citing a Bombay High Court order, Mr. Payyada mentioned the bench comprising Justice A.S. Oka and R.I. Chagla, who prohibited any form of business exploitation of mangroves, had noticed that the destruction of mangroves offended the basic rights of residents below Article 21 of the Constitution.
However, the federal government is permitting destruction of mangroves below the Oru Nellum Oru Meenum challenge, which goals at rotation of fish tradition and paddy tradition. Though the scheme goals at guaranteeing further earnings for Kaipad farmers, there are these with coveted pursuits, he alleged.
Meanwhile, T. Vanaja, director, Kaipad Area Development Society, who’s concerned in selling Kaipad paddy cultivation, argued that cultivation was stopped by farmers in personal lands for varied causes, together with excessive price of manufacturing and lack of labourers.
Ms. Vanaja mentioned there was big demand for Kaipad rice in the home market and overseas. She added that farming couldn’t be revived with out clearing a small portion of mangroves which had grown into the cultivable space. “But it does not imply complete destruction of mangroves. Unfortunately, the Forest Department has been stopping farmers from cultivating in their own property,” she added.
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