New Delhi: The Kerala government has reportedly approved numerous projects in Wayanad over the past four years without conducting thorough studies of the district’s topography and geomorphology. Sources from the Environment Ministry disclosed this information on Monday, highlighting significant concerns about the environmental and safety implications of these approvals.
Key Projects Approved
According to documents reviewed by ANI, the Kerala government granted environmental clearance to several development projects in Wayanad, including:
- Hill Highway Construction: Various stretches, including Ambayathode to Boys Town in Kannur District, and the Kuttiyadi Churam stretch in Wayanad.
- Telecommunications Infrastructure: 4G/5G coverage in uncovered villages by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, approved on March 20, 2023.
- Twin Tunnel Construction: A project to improve connectivity between Aanakampoyil, Kalladi, and Meppadi in Kozhikode and Wayanad Districts, approved on March 31, 2023.
- Optical Fibre Cable Projects: Including routes from Kartikulam to Kutta border via Thetturoad and Appapara, and from Pulplally to S.Bathery Mananthavady Span.
Environmental Concerns
Sources from the Environment Ministry revealed that these approvals were granted without adequate consideration of the soil topography, rock conditions, or geomorphology. This oversight has exacerbated the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, especially in light of recent landslides in Wayanad.
“A combination of factors, including a lack of adequate study of the topography and geomorphology and insufficient safeguards against human activities such as large-scale urbanization and tourism, have made the region more prone to disasters, appearing to be exacerbated by human impact,” the sources told ANI.
Recent Disasters
Last week, Wayanad experienced a devastating landslide that claimed over 300 lives, significantly damaging the area and disrupting daily life. This tragedy has brought to light the dire consequences of neglecting comprehensive environmental reviews for development projects.
Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav attributed the recent disaster to a combination of uncontrolled construction, illegal mining, and unregulated habitation. He emphasized that an expert panel, established in April 2022, is in constant touch with the states to address these issues. Yadav criticized the state for allowing illegal human habitat expansion and mining, which contributed to the disaster.
Expert Panel and Ecologically Sensitive Area Notification
In response to the environmental challenges, the Centre issued a sixth draft notification on July 31, declaring over 56,800 square kilometers of the Western Ghats, including 13 villages in Kerala’s landslide-hit Wayanad, as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). This move aims to provide better protection and management of these fragile regions.
Conclusion
The approval of several projects in Wayanad without comprehensive environmental review has raised significant concerns about the safety and sustainability of development in the region. The recent landslides underscore the need for more rigorous environmental assessments and better management practices to prevent such disasters in the future. The Kerala government’s actions and the response from the Centre highlight the critical importance of balancing development with environmental protection.
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