List Kottooli wetlands as Ramsar site, demand Greens

The Green Movement, an environmental organisation based in Kozhikode, has demanded that the Kottooli Wetlands, located in the heart of the city, be recognised as a Ramsar site and protected accordingly. In a memorandum submitted to authorities, including the Chief Minister and the Tourism Director, following a seminar held on October 27, the organisation highlighted the need for immediate steps to remove encroachments on the wetland to maintain the ecological balance of the region.

The other demands of the organisation include setting up a biological fence around the wetland, demolishing unauthorised constructions in the area, and restoring the encroached portions to their original state by removing the soil used for landfilling.

The organisation also called for the immediate removal of accumulated waste in the wetland and the testing of the water’s acidic and alkaline levels, along with the presence of heavy metals. It emphasised the importance of identifying how these factors affect aquatic organisms and nearby residents.

The memorandum also points out the need for prompt measures to curb the spread of waterborne diseases in the area, protect the mangrove forests within the wetland, and promote environmental awareness among the public.

The Green Movement further demanded that the proposed canal project from Sarovaram to Pachakkal be dropped, as it would destroy parts of the wetland ecosystem. It also pointed out that the high-mast lights installed in the area disturb the birds’ natural resting patterns and should therefore be removed. The memorandum proposed that outposts of the Revenue and Forest departments be established in the region to prevent further encroachments.