THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The intention behind the attempts being made by the Left government to implement Athirappilly project that would be a threat to environment, human beings and bio-diversity is to make money in its last year by indulging in corruption, BJP State president K Surendran has alleged.

“The Lavalin ghost has not left the chief minister. We’ll not allow the government to implement it. Earlier, the government had pulled out of the project… Giving nod for the project during the times of Covid crisis itself shows that the move is for corruption. The decision also violates the Forest Right Act. The right of the tribal people to live in the forest should be protected.

Athirappilly forest area is a treasure trove of rare biodiversity… that is not seen in any other part of the world.

There are also endangered species here. There are various Adivasi clans here that need to be protected.
By arresting the river flow and building dam, acres of forest land will be destroyed and they will submerge in in the river water. This will take its toll on wild life and destroy flora.

Surendran said that the government had not learnt a lesson from floods. “Athirappilly is not the solution for power crisis, if any. Experts’ inference is that the project is not going to be a profitable project. People will not accept the government’s move with dubious intentions. The BJP will lead people’s protest against the project,” he said.