Wayanad Disaster: Environmentalists Demand Shift from Commercial Infrastructure Model

The Price of Unscientific Development in the Western Ghats

During a commemorative gathering on Thursday for the victims of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide disaster, environmental advocates issued a stern warning to the Kerala government. The Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshana Samiti (WPSS) characterized the recent sequence of catastrophic landslides throughout the Western Ghats as a direct consequence of unchecked human intervention. The organization argues that the regional ecosystem has been systematically compromised by large-scale quarrying operations, erratic land usage, and expansive tourism and infrastructure initiatives.

Opposition to Major Engineering Projects

Central to the group's grievances is the proposed Wayanad twin tunnel project. The WPSS explicitly opposes this development, suggesting the initiative serves commercial agendas rather than public utility. According to the Samiti, the project aims to facilitate the extraction of valuable geological resources under the guise of connectivity. Under the leadership of president N. Badusha, the group asserted that these high-impact engineering works further destabilize a landscape already prone to failure.

Rehabilitation as a Fundamental Right

The organization also highlighted the slow pace of recovery for those impacted by the Mundakkai-Chooralmala disaster. Many survivors continue to wait for comprehensive compensation for lost businesses and property. The WPSS maintains that state support must not be viewed as a discretionary gesture. Instead, they demand that the government recognize the following as an absolute right for victims:

• Immediate and adequate financial compensation for all lost private property.
• A transition toward development models that respect the ecological limits of fragile zones.
• Stricter regulation on land use to prevent future loss of life.

Source: The Hindu — National