A naturally growing rich mangrove forest along both sides of the railway causeway through the Paravur lake between Mayyanad and Paravur railway stations have been felled. No clear reason has been given for clearing the mangrove forest which stands in a Coastal Regulatory Zone. The development comes at a time when the Railways have announced being eco-friendly while taking up development projects. Railway land in Kerala has rich mangrove coverage in several areas, especially in the northern parts of the State. The Paravur lake area has thick mangrove forests on railway land. The Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP) has registered a strong protest against destruction of the Paravur Lake mangroves by the Railways. KSSP environment subcommittee convener V.K. Madhusoodanan said the mangrove spread there comprised the highly endangered Excoecaria indica species and the destruction has pushed the species to near extinction. A recent KSSP survey had shown that Kollam district had mangrove coverage of 40 hectares and two hectares out of that along the Paravur Lake railway causeway has now been destroyed. If this is not strongly countered, it will create precedence for the Railways to destroy other patches of mangrove forests on its land. The Paravur lake mangroves have tremendous ecological importance in that they serve as valuable spawning grounds for the much sought after Paravur lake pearl spots (karimeen) and several marine species including shrimps. The marine species enter the lake for spawning through the Kappil estuary. The KSSP has called for the immediate intervention of the Forest Department into the issue. Mr. Madhusoodanan said the KSSP would petition the Coastal Zone Management Authority and the District Collector in this connection.