Thiruvananthapuram, March 12 (UNI) Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee Vice President PC Vishnunath MLA, along with former Kerala minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran and senior journalist Radhakrishnan MG, expressed serious concern over climate change and increasing ecological degradation in Kerala, stressing that environmental studies must become an essential prerequisite for development projects in the state.
The leaders were speaking at a function held at the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club where a People’s Environmental Policy Document prepared by the Kerala Paristhithi Aikya Vedi was released.
Speaking on the occasion, PC Vishnunath MLA said various studies indicate that Kerala is increasingly becoming an extremely fragile ecological region. The state has witnessed repeated large-scale floods and frequent landslides, and is gradually turning into a cyclone-prone region, he said.
He also pointed out that regions such as Kuttanad are experiencing severe environmental impacts, forcing many residents to migrate to other areas.
Vishnunath stressed that development projects should not follow a uniform construction model across the state, warning against adopting the same approach from Kasaragod in the north to Thiruvananthapuram in the south.
According to him, every development project must be based on detailed environmental studies specific to the region concerned, taking into account local geography and ecological sensitivity.
He also said that the recommendations contained in the environmental policy document would be presented before the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Former minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran said the environmental policy document should be widely accepted and supported by the public, emphasising that people’s participation is crucial for effective environmental protection.
He recalled that when large quantities of soil and rocks from Kerala’s eastern hill ranges were transported away in trucks over the years, there was little public concern. However, when a single truck carrying soil was stopped in Karnataka, it triggered widespread reactions in Kerala and intense media attention.
Ratnakaran also pointed out that earlier generations rarely discussed protecting paddy fields, but with rapid development many paddy lands gradually disappeared across the state. Some people now equate development merely with speed and infrastructure expansion, he said.
“Life can only be restored if the environment is restored,” he stressed, adding that luxury and excessive consumption do not necessarily bring happiness. He also emphasised that no ruling government can ignore strong public pressure, noting that if people collectively demand environmental protection, governments will be compelled to respond.
Senior journalist MG Radhakrishnan released the policy document and said society must seriously examine whether large-scale development projects are linked to the increasing frequency of natural disasters in Kerala.
He pointed out that the last two decades witnessed the highest number of development projects in the state, while repeated natural disasters began occurring from 2017 onwards.
Despite the devastating 2018 Kerala floods, which triggered numerous studies and discussions on environmental issues, the subject has still not received the attention it deserves, he said. Even today, two days of continuous rainfall are enough to flood several cities in the state, while new diseases are also emerging in different regions.
Radhakrishnan also raised concern that a tunnel road project is being constructed through the same area in Wayanad where a major disaster had earlier occurred, warning that such decisions must be debated openly. He added that attempts to raise such discussions sometimes face threats and intimidation, which he described as disturbing.
According to him, environmental protection must become a central focus of policy-making in Kerala, and the issue must move to the core of governance debates.
The meeting was presided over by N Badusha, President of the Wayanad Nature Protection Committee. Environmental activist Sreedharan Radhakrishnan of Thanal presented the environmental policy document, while M Ramith presented a future action document outlining upcoming environmental initiatives.
Senior journalist MJ Babu delivered the welcome address and Veena Marathur proposed the vote of thanks.
The discussion session that followed saw participation from several activists and public figures including E Kunjikrishnan, S Usha, Subhash Chandra Bose, Johnson, Harilal, Sister Mercy, and Abi George, who shared their views on the urgent need for stronger environmental policies and greater public awareness in Kerala.
