Witnessing the inevitability of stringent controls

[Stewart41]

The conversion of land from agricultural to non-agricultural uses particularly in the urban fringes of Kochi city is rather substantial.  There is an economic rationale in such a transfer, for the gain in income through the sale of land over and above the returns from agricultural activity are more and hence cannot be stopped in a free market economy.  

However, its impact on farm production must be assessed and suitable action taken to prevent further possible losses in farm production and productivity.  This may require preventing it by an ordinance, the sale of agricultural lands, especially wetlands with assured irrigation facilities.  Such lands should be prevented from being sold for non-agricultural uses.  Government can also try to achieve the above-mentioned objective through initiating a comprehensive planning approach in managing the fringe areas.  

The concerned local authority should plan for the whole area; say for a specified period, keeping in mind the developments that are likely to overtake this area in the next 10 years.  The plan should be based on a forecast of future demand in land for various uses.   The publication of this plan would make information related to specific types of land – present as well as future – available to every one.  This would help to deal with some of the problems created by the speculators in the fringe land markets.

However, in recent times, when analyzing the developments <Link deleted per rules 3.1 and 3.3> is witnessing a large scale conversion of wetlands and other fertile agricultural lands for building purposes.  This large-scale conversion has already affected the surrounding environments and has led to depletion in ground water levels and severe scarcities in fresh water for various purposes.  The loss of the green cover has also led to a phenomenal increase in temperatures during the summer season.

In spite of the words of caution from the renowned environmentalists and other concerned people, no one wants to listen to these words of wisdom.  Thus it seems that the government needs to step in and enforce the laws with an iron hand.