Members of the Sarovaram Environment Protection Committee gather at the Kottooli wetlands during a protest in Kozhikode on December 18. Photo credit: K. Ragesh
Activists of the Sarovaram Environment Protection Committee on Thursday (December 18) demanded the immediate removal of soil dumped in the Kottooli wetlands and staged a protest at the site, condemning the authorities’ alleged failure to enforce orders to protect the urban biodiversity hotspot during the investigation into the Vijil murder.
The organization claimed that on August 29, police placed about 46 loads of soil in the wetlands as part of the evidence-gathering process. The case dates back to 2019 when V. Vijil, a resident of Elathur, went missing. It was reopened recently after the police found that he had allegedly died of a drug overdose after which his friends allegedly buried his body in the Kottooli wetlands near the Sarovaram Biopark. A recent police operation in the wetlands involved a search for skeletal remains and evidence during which earth was dumped into the area.
The Kottooli wetlands, spread across Vengeri, Kottooli and Chevayur villages in Kozhikode city, were recently at the center of several complaints that led to action by the statutory authorities. In October 2025, the State Wetlands Authority of Kerala (SWAK) directed the District Collector and the Kozhikode Corporation to strictly enforce the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, stating that the wetland is listed in the National Wetlands Inventory and Assessment (2011).
“The 85,000 square feet Calicut Sarovaram Trade Center we see today is still functioning without any valid license. Survey No. 73/1 was deliberately shown as part of the building permit to save this illegal structure. There were many attempts to protect the owner but as our organization stood firm, these attempts failed,” said K. Ajaylal, president of the committee.
Earlier this month, the Kerala High Court also observed that complaints regarding the threat to the Kottooli wetlands cannot be ignored, warning that a delay in protecting the area could cause permanent damage to the environment. The court noted that the wetland was being considered for Ramsar site status and remanded the matter for further hearing in January.
Earlier, the Kozhikode city police chief had reportedly assured the committee that the soil would be removed once the evidence collection process was completed. However, committee members pointed out that no action has been taken so far.
They further argued that the area where the soil was dumped is now being used as a school bus parking lot, contributing to the damage to the wetland. The organization will intensify its protests if the soil is not removed and measures to prevent further damage are delayed, Mr. Ajaylal said.
Published – 18 Dec 2025 23:48 IST
