Devikulam subcollector Renuraj, on Friday, visited Sahayagiri and Kudavayal in Marayur, where large-scale landfilling was reported. It was alleged that land mafia, in connivance with some Revenue Department and grama panchayat officials, was behind the landfilling. The Agriculture Department had given a report in this regard which prompted the subcollector to visit the area. An official of the Revenue Department said the mafia was taking advantage of a concession on landfilling given to the residents of the area to build houses. Marayur, in Anchunadu valley, was primarily a paddy-cultivating area, before the farmers switched to sugarcane, once the groundwater level began to dip.

Source: The Hindu May 11, 2019 17:37 UTC