The Hindu 06.09.2010
Master plan seeks curbs on terrain alteration
Staff Reporter
| Soil from hillocks being used to fill marshy areas |
Such terrain alteration results in lowering of ground water table
City is turning warmer as a result of unscientific practices in construction
KOCHI: The draft master plan for Kochi City Region has stressed the need for a regulatory framework for preventing the alteration of terrain.
It was noticed that the eastern parts of the Region that the hillocks and mounts were cut down and the soil was removed to the western parts to fill up marshy and low lying areas for construction purposes. The demolition of hillocks and filling up of low-lying areas would have negative impact on the environment. The areas where the soil is removed face denudation of greenery and lowering of ground water table, it was pointed out.
The fall in ground water table has resulted in many open wells going dry and causing water shortage. The low-lying areas and marshy areas were acting as drainage basins during monsoons. By filling up of these areas, artificial storm water drainage issues are caused and many of the city areas are flooded, according to the report.
Though terrain and slope alterations of minor nature may be allowed to make the land suitable for construction activities, it is necessary to discourage terrain alterations of major nature. These actions need to be distinguished and regulated accordingly. Indiscriminate construction activities result in denudation of greenery and cutting down of existing trees. The city region is gradually losing its greenery and is turning into a concrete landscape. This is will affect the micro climate of the region, according to experts
The city was turning warmer as a result of the unscientific practices followed in many parts of Kochi. Unlike in the southern and the northern parts of Kerala, there is not much marked difference between the day and night time temperature in Kochi. The nights remain warm, due to reflected heat from the concrete structure, experts said.
The tendency to pave the entire open area around their buildings with tiles in the city will also have disastrous effects as it will prevent the percolation of water into the soil. The entire rain water and sullage are allowed to flow down into the street drains, perhaps causing pools of water on the roads. This practice needs to be regulated and at least 50 per cent of the vacant open spaces around a building need to be left unpaved and planted with trees. This would allow the percolation of water into the soil and reduce the reflected heat, it was pointed out.
The views of the corporation councillors regarding the master plan will be elicited at a special session, said C.K. Manisankar, Deputy Mayor. The views of the Kochi Corporation regarding the master plan need to be taken into account. The civic body had spent considerable time and money for the preparation of the plan, he said.
