Taking public oaths, elders addressing cool audiences, planting tree saplings etc, many of us ceremoniously joined rest of the world to commemorate the World Environment Day on June 5th 2010.
In the backdrop of recent Singur, Kinaloor, Nandigram etc episodes or the latest at Attappadi, please listen to the story of 417 acres of cultivable wetland in Kumarakam, near Kottayam and the conspiracy by a few cells in the ruling CPI(M) top brass, even without the knowledge of the party district committee, understood to have lead by Mr. Elamaram Karim honourable Minster for Industries, Government of Kerala to develop this land to a Golf Course and a Tourism Village with initial estimated private investment of 2000crores rupees.
The real identity of promoters are still unknown, but is represented a group from Ras Al Khaima, UAE. The project invited strong protests from the rest of their own party colleagues, allies and affiliated wings like KSKTU, DYFI etc.
It is reported that this land in question was donated by the King of the erstwhile Travancore Kingdom gave for cultivation to a Metropolitan of the Malankara Orthodox Church hence the name came Metran Kaayal or Seminary Lake. The Metropolitan in turn gave this land to the Parishioners on lease basis.
The following YouTube video in three parts is a featured report “Vasthavam” by India Vision Malayalam news channel aired very recently.
If you start watching the Part-I, my request is that you should not go without the part-III, which is the essence of this story.
PART-I {youtube}EF9-EdCLJTQ {/youtube}
PART-II {youtube}M7Cf915ZZbg{/youtube}
PART-III {youtube}3bjkn2frlqg{/youtube}
For related news and on follow-ups please scroll down with title “Protest against tourism project at Metran Kayal“:
Mathrubhumi daily, 23-8-2010, Monday,
skyscrapercity.com
Kottayamvartha.com (Malayalam).
An extreme version of report can be found at: Haindavakeralam.com
Jose G, Doha Qatar.