Veeyapuram: The recent floods had gobbled up tracts of Veeyapuram forest, the one and only reserve forest in the Alappuzha district.The fringes of the forest, spread across 14.3 acre, were swept away by the surging floodwaters. Moreover, the floods dumped plastic waste in the forest area, thus raising ecological concerns.

Water entered the forest and timber depot to the height of close to six feet but there was no loss of timber as the logs, meant to be sold in auctions, were tied together.

The government has set aside Rs 10 lakh for the protection of the reserve forest. But as per the estimates of the Minor Irrigation Department, Rs 1.11 crore is needed to preserve the periphery of the forest, and accordingly the Forest Department gave a report to the state government. Plans are afoot to start work relating to protection of the forest area with the funds allocated by the government.

The reserve forest is situated near to the confluence of Achankovil and Pampa rivers.

Popular filmy spot

The forest is a favourite with filmmakers for shoots. The reserve forest and timber depot featured in the recently released Mammootty-starrer ‘Oru Kuttanadan Blog’. The forest also found screen space in T K Rajeev Kumar’s ‘Rathinirvedam’, Venu Nagavally’s ‘Lal Salam’ and ‘Rakthasakshikal Zindabad’. The inspection bungalow of the reserve forest, which was converted as party office in Mohanlal-starrer ‘Lal Salam’, has been recently spruced up.