Endangered Kochi

Express News Service
First Published : 02 Feb 2010 12:20:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 02 Feb 2010 09:44:54 AM IST

KOCHI: Keep the option for future generations. This was a clause in the Rio De Janeiro meet that set the agenda for several environmental policies across the globe. But it’s a clause long forgotten by the city authorities who are steadfastly closing all roads of existence for the future generation..

Once a heartland of biodiversity, Kochi is thirsty for clean potable water with groundwater recharging turning salty..

According to environmental scientist C M Joy, rainwater which collects as freshwater in the land withstands the force from the sea water and continues to remain pure as it enters into the groundwater. But we don’t even have soak pits to collect rainwater..

The main biodiversity hubs like Mangalavanam and Vallanthacaud remain under the constant threat of annihilation by the real estate mafia which has the support of political bigwigs..

To add to this is the threat in the name of development. A thesis done by K P Suma had identified vegetation like jackfruit, cashew nuts, rain trees, coconuts, konna and drumsticks in 10 spots across the district including Mangalavanam, Kumbalangi, Kumbalam and Vallanthacaud among others. They have become few and far between..

"The mangroves have the ability separate salt from water. They crystallize the salt which comes and settles on the leaves. Since they are found between the low tide and high tide, they ensure that seawater doesn’t enter the land," says Joy..

Mangroves which keep the salt water from entering into ground water bodies like wells are being cut down and cleared in the name of development. Today nearly 70- 80 percent of the land in the city has been taken up by buildings and roads. Green activists have been asking for oxygen hubs in the city as in Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. But that doesn’t look like becoming a reality in the near future. What Kochiites can do is to ensure that biodiversity points like Mangalavanam and Vallanthacaud remain untouched..

kochi@expressbuzz.com