Madayipara road widening: Kerala HC gives go-ahead with afforestation rider

Kochi: Concerning the biological significance of Madayipara in Kannur, Kerala high court permitted proceeding with the widening works of a road to Madayikavu Bhagavathi Temple by strictly adhering to the green protocol, including afforestation by planting not less than 400 trees.A bench comprising Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar issued the order in response to petitions filed by C K Vijeesh of Kannur and others challenging the road widening by encroaching upon or altering any portion of the property of Sree Madayikavu Bhagavathi Temple or the Madayipara landscape. They further sought a directive to Malabar Devaswom Board to protect and preserve the temple property, ponds, natural water bodies and ecological features of Madayipara. The road, currently of 3.5m width, is in a dilapidated condition and the proposed construction is of an 8.5m width.Madayipara is a flat-topped laterite plateau near Pazhayangadi on the banks of Kuppam River in Kannur. Covering about 600-700 acres and rising 40-47m above sea level, the plateau offers wide views of nearby wetlands and the coast near Ezhimala. The court noted that it was an ecological paradise rich in a wide variety of flora and fauna and a biodiversity hotspot, with over 500 plant species, including rare and endemic plants. Similarly, Madayipara hosts diverse butterfly and bird species that play crucial ecological roles in pollination, pest control and nutrient cycling.Noting all these key facts, the court directed that the proposed road widening project shall be undertaken strictly in a manner that doesn't cause any damage or disturbance to the biodiversity of Madayipara, including its ponds, water bodies, and the existing natural flora and fauna. Devaswom officials shall make arrangements to ensure that the PWD contractor undertakes afforestation by planting not less than 400 trees, consisting of species indigenous to and compatible with the geographical and ecological features of the locality. The planting shall be carried out at appropriate locations, in consultation with the divisional forest officer and shall be completed by June. The contractor shall maintain video records of the afforestation activities and shall place them before the court on July 15. The executive officer of the temple and the Sree Madayi trustee Chirackal Kovilakam Devaswom shall ensure proper and regular watering of the plants.Additionally, the court directed the principal chief conservator of forests to formulate and finalise a comprehensive afforestation scheme covering a larger extent of Madayipara and place it before the court on or before July 15 and adjourned the petition to July 16.