Assembly panel visits Aranmula

Pathanamthitta: The Legislative Committee on Environment would submit its report to the State Assembly, detailing the environmental issues raised by the local population in connection with the proposed private international airport project at Aranmula, during the session that begins on Thursday, said the panel chairman, C.P. Mohammed.
Mr Mohammed, accompanied by the panel members, Mullakkara Ratnakaran, T.A. Ahamed Kabeer, P.C. Vishnunath, and A.M. Arif, was talking to reporters during a visit to Aranmula after holding a sitting at the Collectorate conference hall here on Thursday.
Mr Mohmmed Ahamed said the one-month old committee has taken up the Aranmula airport issue as the first case and had decided to hold a sitting on the same on a war-footing basis, giving due respect to the growing public concern and agitation against the project.
He said the committee would appraise the Legislature on the concern of the people over the destruction of ground water sources, paddy fields, wetlands, drying up of wells, etc, in the event of conversion of low-lying lands as part of the proposed airport project.
Appearing before the committee, Dr V.S. Vijayan, former Kerala State Biodiversity Board chairman, said he has conducted an environment impact assessment in the Aranmula puncha and wetlands and found it rich in bio-diversity. According to him the wetlands houses 212 plant unique plant species and not to speak of its abundant water storage and water carrying capacity which could adequately ensure the ground water replenishment in the surrounding villages.
29/02/12 The Hindu

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Categories: airports Feb 2012, New Feb 2012