more-inThe Perumpetti Powra Samiti has demanded that the government take effective steps to protect the virgin forests of Ponthanpuzha and Valiyakavu spread across Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts. Mr. Nair said one could find remains of many forest shrines and sacred groves inside the Ponthanpuzha- Valiyakavu forests, where local people offer prayers even today. Move SC: KC(M)Kerala Congress (M) general secretary Joseph M.Puthusserry has demanded that the government should go in appeal in the Supreme Court against the High Court order related to the Valiyakavu- Ponthanpuzha forests. In a statement here, Mr. Puthusserry, former local MLA, alleged that certain vested interests had been trying to establish their claim on the virgin forests with the help of forged documents. He said there were incidents involving some people, claiming to be owners of the forestland, making futile attempts to encroach on the forests.

Source: The Hindu February 21, 2018 18:00 UTC