KOCHI: The rainfall data in the first two months of the south-west monsoon in the current season shows that Wayanad district in Kerala is having 60 per cent deficit in rainfall. The district received only 760 mm rain as against the normal average of 1893 mm in the June-July period, according to the data by the Indian Meteorological Department. The persistent deficit in rainfall in Wayanad, known for its salubrious climate, is yet another manifestation of the deleterious impact on the fragile ecology of the region due to human intervention.

Although the signs are ominous the authorities concerned are least bothered to take measures to mitigate the situation. Instead, activities of the authorities accentuate the problems. The decision of Kerala Forest Department in promoting a resort in the ecologically sensitive Brhamagiri Hills and planting Mahogony in denuded forests are examples of shortsighted policy initiatives. The Wayanad Prakriti Samrakshana Samithi (WPSS), a green activist group based in the district, has submitted a representation to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests against the forest department.

Speaking to DC, N Badusha, president of the WPSS said the decisions of the forest department will only help in adding on to the mounting problems of the district. In a representation to the MOEF, the Samithi has pointed out that high altitude areas in Western Ghats have a unique ecosystem called Shola-grassland. Shola grasslands harbor a large number of endemic and endangered species of flora and fauna, including the Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-tailed Macaque and the Nilgiri Marten.

“The Forest Department is establishing tourist resorts in the shola grasslands of Brahmagiri and Muneeshwaran Mudi in the North Wayanad Forest Division. They have already constructed one concrete building and five cottages each, surrounded by wire fence in the above places. They have also constructed jeepable roads to these hills using earth movers. The action of department is a flagrant violation the guidelines of MOEF and Chief Conservator for eco-tourism that no new constructions should be made inside reserve forests”, the representation said.

“Moreover, Kerala High Court has ruled that tourism is not a forestry operation, and hence the Forest Department should have obtained prior permission for the construction of buildings on the shoal grasslands and roads through the forests. To the best of our knowledge they have not obtained this permission”, it added. The representation also pointed out that the tourist resort in Brahmagiri is near a large breeding colony of the rare and endemic Indian Edible-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus unicolor).

“This is one of the two bird species nesting inside dark caves. They are amongst a very few species of birds using echo-location to ‘see’ in the dark. There are only a very few nesting colonies of this bird in the Western Ghats, and they, including the one in Brahmagiri, is being plundered regularly by nest hunters. Influx of a large number of tourists attracted by the new facilities including the road will doom the nesting colony, and ultimately the fate of the Indian Edible-nest Swiftlet.

Another major objection to the project is its closeness to wildlife sanctuaries. “Brahmagiri is an important corridor connecting the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala and Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka to Aaralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala and Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary on Karnataka. Hence we request you take urgent actions to stop all tourist activities including the construction of resort in Brahmagiri and to provide special protection to this sensitive habitat”, the representation said.