Hartal in ESA-affected areas of Palakkad on Nov. 6

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha has called for a hartal in the ecologically sensitive areas of Palakkad district on November 6, demanding revisions to the draft notification declaring parts of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).

The hartal will be observed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The organisation alleged that the seventh draft notification, issued on July 27, had once again ignored Keralam’s concerns, particularly regarding the inclusion of residential areas and agricultural lands in the proposed ecologically sensitive zone.

The Joint Kisan Morcha demanded a scientific assessment of the areas concerned and appropriate modifications to the notification to ensure that only forest areas are brought under the protection regime, while residential settlements and agricultural lands are excluded.

Under the latest draft notification, 13 villages in Palakkad district have been identified as ecologically sensitive areas. These include Agali, Kallamala, Kottathara, Padavayal, Pudur, Sholayur, Muthalamada, Nelliyampathy, Palakkayam, Malampuzha, Pudussery East, Puduppariyaram and Kizhakkenchery.

The proposed areas cover parts of Attappady and Nelliyampathy. Residents fear that the notification, if finalised in its present form, could adversely affect agriculture, small-scale businesses and construction activities, besides making everyday life difficult for people living in the affected villages.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha State vice-president C.K. Rajendran, district president K. Ramachandran, chairman M.R. Murali and convenor Manikandan Pottassery announced the agitation plan at a press meet here on Tuesday.