A protest by Sarovaram Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi held a protest in front of the Kalikot Trade Center in Kozhikod on April 20, citing the illegality of the building. |Picture source: K. Ragesh
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan left the opening ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Kozhikode Art Fans Association (KALA) on Saturday (April 19), after Sarovaram samrakshana Samithi pointed out the illegal nature of the ritual park near Sarovaram Bio Bio Bio Bio Park.
Samithi’s members have forwarded the complaint to the Chief Minister, regional collector, rural official and personal assistant to the secretary of Kozhikode Corporation, who said the auditorium managers continued to rent out the facility despite Kerala High Court orders citing its unauthorized building. Meanwhile, local autonomous minister MB Rajesh started the incident two hours after the scheduled time.
Meanwhile, Samithi activists protested in front of three gates of the building, saying they did not allow vehicles to park on the vast ground next to the building, which they claimed was a landfill on the Kottooli wetland, the proposed Ramsar site.
Samithi cites the Kerala High Court order of 7 April 2025, Kerala State Wetlands Administration, Kerala Coastal Regional Authority, Kozhikode Company, Regional Collector and Vengeri Village officials are responsible for ensuring protection of wetlands and activities contrary to the law. The Court further directed the authorities to ensure that unauthorized or illegal activities are not allowed in the relevant areas (areas occupied by Kottooly wetlands and auditoriums). Chief Justices Nitin Jamdar and S. Manu have further clarified that the authorities should take effective steps, not just notice, as the damage caused can lead to an incredible situation.
Samithi plans to express contempt on the Chief Secretary as soon as possible without any action without protest.
publishing – April 20, 2025 at 11:34 pm IST
