Expert committee warns of serious consequences in Munnar

An expert committee of environmentalists and social activists set up by BJP in Kerala has warned of serious consequences if encroachments were not stopped in ecologically sensitive Munnar in Idukki district. Munnar was turning into a graveyard due to construction of resorts on alleged encroached government lands, the committee members said after visiting the tourist spot. The committee said authorities should be vigilant to put a stop to "use of religious symbols" for encroachments. "Committee appealed to all sections of the people in the state to support the effort to stop encroachments," BJP said in a release here.
Constructions going on at the ecologically sensitive areas of Munnar should be stopped, the committee, headed by C M Joy, former registrar of Kerala Forest Research Centre, said.

The committee was constituted by BJP State President Kummanom Rajasekharan.
The team visited places like Pallivasal, Chithirapuram, Attukadu and Muthirapuzha, where large-scale encroachment had taken place, the release added.