No more buffer zones around dams

T'puram: In a significant decision, the state govt has decided to withdraw its order imposing buffer zones around irrigation dams in the state. Water resources minister Roshy Augustine made the announcement in the assembly on Tuesday following strong opposition from UDF, who raised the matter through a notice for an adjournment motion.
The motion was brought by Kerala Congress MLA Mons Joseph, who highlighted the hardships faced by people due to the order. He said the directive led to 7,732 acres being declared as prohibited areas and another 38,660 acres as restricted zones. Joseph also said officials had started enforcing the order.
Augustine, while responding to the motion, said the order was issued after high court's intervention. He said the govt received only a few applications seeking approval for construction within buffer zones. However, the minister promised that the govt would not proceed with any decision that adversely affects public.
Opposition leader VD Satheesan took a firm stand, criticising the govt's justification for the order. He argued that the govt's claim of issuing the directive based on a high court case was misleading. "The order was issued on Dec 26, 2024, but the high court case was filed only in 2024. Furthermore, a previous govt order regarding NOCs was issued in 2023, even before the case was registered," Satheesan pointed out.
Referring to previous regulations, Satheesan reminded the House that since 2006, the govt prohibited issuing land titles within the fenced boundaries of dams. However, titles could be granted for areas beyond these boundaries. "Now, the govt's order has imposed a buffer zone of 20 metres around dams and an additional 100 metres require an NOC for any construction. This is unacceptable," Satheesan remarked.
He further criticised the impracticality of the order, emphasising that Kerala's strict forest and wetland conservation laws already limit the availability of land for housing. "Where will a person with less than 10 cents of land go to build a house? Thousands are being victimised by this decision," he said.
In response, Augustine conceded that the concerns raised by the opposition were valid. He said the govt would amend the order and promised that it would not be enforced. However, Satheesan demanded a categorical statement declaring the order's withdrawal rather than mere assurances of non-enforcement.
"The minister has accepted that the opposition's concerns are 100% justified. There are laws and building regulations that currently exist. Imposing additional restrictions even in town areas like Iritty will only lead to misinterpretation by officials. The govt must withdraw the order, not just refrain from implementing it," Satheesan asserted.
Following this, the minister officially declared that the order would be withdrawn. Satheesan welcomed the announcement, stating, "We accept the minister's decision to withdraw the order." This development marks a rare instance where the state govt reversed its decision in response to pressure from the opposition through an adjournment motion.