Land mafia dons will bow before strength of society: Kummanom Rajashekharan

published on March 22, 2013

The human chain ‘Jalaraksha Srinkhala’ (Water protection chain) organized at Aranmula by Joint Action Council on World Water Day witnessed the participation of thousands of people including women and children. Led by poetess and environmental activist Sugathakumari, the event focused on the preservation of precious water bodies that are the boon of Aranmula, which now faces grave peril owing to the Greenfield International Airport project.

The event saw the participation of scores of people from various walks of life and representatives of various political parties, all united as one, casting aside political differences, covered the entire length of area from Tharayil junction to Naalkaalikkal junction of Aranmula.

Organized to protest against the indiscriminate and inconsiderate destruction of valuable natural resources, in the name of development, the human chain began with a solemn oath administered by Sugathakumari which echoed the need to safe guard the water bodies of Aranmula.

Addressing the gathering, chief patron of Aranmula Paithruka Grama Samithi Kummanam Rajashekharan reiterated that the airport will remain nothing but a dream for those harbouring vested interests.

“Pathanamthitta, the green district is unfortunately facing a near drought like situation. Unbridled deforestation, busting of hills, leveling of paddy fields, drawing of earth and scores of similar activities will render the earth powerless. These activities reduce her natural potent. Now if Aranmula is also going to be destroyed, if the natural water bodies are going to be plugged, it is going to be the cause of the most unprecedented drought in areas unimaginable,” said Kummanam Rajashekharan.

“We must bear in mind that these activities will result in the destruction of River Pampa and the granary of Kerala- Kuttanad. We must strive to prevent this mammoth destruction. Let us ensure that the airport remains nothing but a dream for a few tycoons of society and that the land mafia eventually bows down to the strength of society,” said the chief patron of Aranmula Paithruka Grama Samithi.

Earlier, the human chain witnessed the affirming of a pledge read out aloud by Sugathakumari, describing Aranmula as “the heritage village that has its heart and soul steeped in antique culture and agricultural tradition, whose life is the very water bodies that abound the place now faces destruction.”

The pledge affirmed the protection, preservation and uphold of these “precious water bodies that dot the place, taking into account the grave dangers looming large in front of the people, owing to the destruction of these ecological treasures, in the most heroic manner.”

Inaugurating the meeting that followed the human chain, former minister G Sudhakaran MLA said that construction of the airport should be halted at any cost. “This is a crucial moment, when water bodies, water sources, water channels, fields, ponds, should be safe guarded,” he said.