Restrictions on constructions in Wayanad district Environmental organisations have opposed the recent move of the State government to freeze the decision of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to enforce restrictions on the mushrooming of huge concrete constructions in the hill district, a biodiversity hot spot on the Western Ghats. Minister for Urban Affairs Manjalamkuzhi Ali said here on Saturday said the government had frozen the decision of the DDMA as it was not practical and a meeting of people's representatives would be convened soon to discuss the issue. However, a district meeting of the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad held here on Sunday came down heavily against the move stating that the DDMA had taken the decision after considering the geographical features of the district. Such a stern decision was needed to curb the construction of multi-storey structures that were posing a serious threat to the ecologically fragile region like Wayanad. The leaders of Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshana Samithi and Green Cross, two environmental organisations, said the Minister was acting at the behest of some real estate lobbies. They said the organisations would launch agitations with the support of like-minded organisations and challenge the government decision in the High Court. District Collector Kesavendrakumar, who is also the chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority, had served the order on July 1 stating that permits should not be issued for construction of any building if the height of such building exceeded the measurements specified in the order. According to the directive, the maximum height of a building, including underground constructions, in Lakkidi area is restricted to 8 metres (maximum two floor levels). In municipality areas and other areas in the district, constructions are limited to maximum 15 metres (maximum five floor levels) and 10 metres (three floor levels) respectively.