Unchecked tourism and eco park put Kannur's Madayipara biodiversity at risk
Madayipara, the ecologically significant laterite plateau in Kannur district, is facing mounting pressure from unregulated tourist inflow and an amusement-cum-eco park that environmentalists say is damaging its fragile ecosystem. The plateau, spread across 3.65 sq km, is known for its exceptional biodiversity, including several threatened species of plants and animals.
The Madayipara Samarakshan Samiti, a local forum dedicated to protecting the plateau, has decided to intensify its protest against the park. The group plans to block a painting-and-art learning programme scheduled to be held at the site on Saturday. The Samiti alleges that the eco park, which opened on July 31, is operating without mandatory permissions, including a trade licence from the Madayi grama panchayat. It has approached the District Collector seeking immediate intervention and has demanded that the panchayat stop all activities pertaining to the park.
Environmentalists point to the influx of visitors' vehicles, artificial lighting, and the large amount of garbage generated as major threats to the rare flora and fauna. The plateau supports an exceptional concentration of biodiversity, including 670 types of flowering plants, 11 insectivorous plant species, and 14 species listed under various threatened categories by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is also home to 258 bird species, including 10 globally threatened species and 31 species protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. Additionally, the plateau hosts 24 mammal species, 32 reptiles, 20 amphibians, and 158 butterfly species, along with 51 species of dragonflies and damselflies.
Muhamed Jafer Palot, a zoologist at the Zoological Survey of India's Western Ghat Regional Centre in Kozhikode, who has been associated with the Madayipara conservation campaign, said the plateau is a small area and cannot withstand such uncontrolled visitor influx. "More than 300 vehicles were seen parked on the rocky terrain recently. The area where birds used to flock is now full of people and vehicles," he said. He also noted that rare seasonal plants are being uprooted and taken away as soon as they sprout, and such plants cannot simply be replaced.
Conservation activists are now considering stronger legal and administrative measures, including seeking a conservation reserve status for the plateau. C.V. Balakrishnan, chairman of the protest committee, said that by modifying a natural stream into a recreational pool and installing a high-mast light, the park operators have altered the natural landscape. He said artificial lighting, noise, vehicle movement, and crowds could disturb birds that roost and breed in Madayipara.
K.P. Chandraganthan, secretary of the Samiti, noted that High Court orders had stressed the need to protect Madayipara and restrict activities and vehicle movement that affect its ecological character. He also raised questions over the ownership and use of land associated with the park. While large tracts of Madayipara belong to the Madayi Thiruvarkattukavu Devaswom, past transactions had led to changes in land records. The eco park, he alleged, is functioning in disputed territory.
N. Narayanan, manager of the temple devaswom, confirmed that a case relating to ownership of a 10-acre area has been pending in court since 2006. Madayi panchayat president Sathyabhama B. said the panchayat has not granted permission to operate the park. She said the building associated with the property had obtained permission as a "special residential" building, but no licence had been issued for operating the park.
