Kerala Farmer vs Billionaire Mall: The Lone Battle That Saved a Wetland

Thiruvananthapuram, September 1, 2025 – In the heart of Thrissur, Kerala, a lone farmer has stopped a billionaire’s mega project. His fight is not with men, but with machines and documents. It is a fight to preserve wetlands, paddy lands, and the future of farming. On Monday, the Kerala High Court’s verdict gave fresh strength to his campaign.

The farmer’s legal stand has stalled the construction of a proposed Lulu Mall in Thrissur. This project, worth hundreds of crores, was expected to bring big business to central Kerala. But for the farmer, it was a threat to nature and food security. His name is T N Mukundan, and today, he is being hailed as a defender of Kerala’s farmland.

The Lone Fighter in Thrissur

Mukundan is 61 years old. He is not a corporate leader, not a government officer, not a famous activist. He is a farmer with just two acres of land. He also leases around eight acres more, where he grows rice and vegetables. His home is simple, and his life is devoted to farming.

But what makes him unique is his courage to stand against giants. The Lulu Group, led by UAE-based billionaire M A Yusuff Ali, is one of India’s biggest retail empires. Its malls attract millions of visitors. When the group announced a mall in Thrissur, many saw it as a symbol of progress. For Mukundan, it was the beginning of a long legal war.

Lulu Mall Dream Faces a Wall

In 2023, Lulu Group acquired land for the mall project. Soon after, an official order from the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) removed the plot from Kerala’s “paddy land databank.” This meant the land could now be legally used for non-agricultural purposes like construction.

But Mukundan refused to accept it. He filed a petition in the Kerala High Court. He argued that the land is still a paddy field, and under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008, such land cannot be converted. He brought documents and even reports from the local Agricultural Officer to prove his claim.

Last week, the High Court delivered its judgment. The RDO’s order was cancelled. The court asked authorities to check again if the land is truly paddy field. With that, the mall project was forced to pause.

“Not Against Lulu, Only For the Land”

When asked why he took this fight, Mukundan’s answer is simple. “My fight is not against Lulu Group or any owner. It is for paddy fields and wetlands,” he says. He explains that wetlands are nature’s safety nets. They prevent floods, recharge groundwater, and grow food. Losing them means losing life itself.

Mukundan’s stand also points out a larger issue in Kerala. Every year, more paddy fields are filled and converted into real estate. Builders, industries, and even government projects eye this land. Farmers often sell under pressure. Mukundan chose not to sell. He chose to resist.

A History of Battles

This is not Mukundan’s first case. Since 2016, he has been challenging illegal land conversions. Earlier, another owner tried to mine clay and reclaim land near his fields. He protested, went to court, and managed to stop it.

In 2017, his activism made headlines across the state. Then transport minister Thomas Chandy resigned after the High Court considered a case filed by Mukundan. Chandy had reclaimed wetland for a tourism project in Alappuzha. That case showed how even powerful politicians were not above the law.

Today, Mukundan has at least 15 cases pending in different courts. All relate to wetland and paddy land conversions. His income is modest, yet he spends on legal fees. His lawyers often help him at reduced cost because they see his honesty.

The Law and Its Loopholes

Kerala introduced the Paddy Land and Wetland Act in 2008. The aim was to protect farmlands and wetlands from being lost to development. The law clearly states that once land is in the databank, it cannot be converted.

But in reality, loopholes exist. Landowners apply to remove their plots from the databank. Officials sometimes pass orders under pressure. Builders then step in. In many cases, wetlands disappear forever.

Mukundan’s case against Lulu has reopened debate on how the law is used. The court reminded that protection of wetlands is not optional but necessary.

The Money Trail

Mukundan’s fight also brought another fact into the open. From 2008 to 2024, the Kerala government collected ₹1,510 crore from people who paid fees for converting wetlands and paddy lands. This money should have gone to the Agriculture Promotion Fund, meant for restoring such lands.

Instead, almost the entire sum was diverted to the state treasury. Only ₹6 lakh reached the fund. In November 2024, the High Court slammed the government. It ordered that the ₹1,510 crore be transferred back to the fund in four instalments.

This was another victory for activists like Mukundan. It showed that protecting wetlands is not only about farming but also about accountability.

A Billionaire’s Disappointment

For Lulu Group, this has been a setback. M A Yusuff Ali recently said that their Thrissur project stalled because of “one party.” He did not name Mukundan, but everyone knew who he meant. The group now says it will study the High Court ruling before making a next move.

Lulu has built malls in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Hyderabad, and other cities. Each mall is huge, offering shops, food courts, cinemas, and jobs. Many argue that Thrissur, a commercial hub, deserves one too. But critics counter that malls cannot be built by destroying paddy fields.

Why This Matters to Kerala

Kerala is a state where land is scarce. Cities are growing fast. Floods, like the one in 2018, showed how losing wetlands worsens disasters. Experts say wetlands absorb excess water and reduce flood damage. Paddy lands are not just farmland; they are natural flood buffers.

If wetlands vanish, food security will also suffer. Kerala already depends heavily on other states for rice and vegetables. Protecting every acre of paddy field matters.

A Farmer With No Family, But A Mission

Mukundan lives alone. He has no wife, no children. His life is dedicated to farming and his court battles. Every day, he spends time in the fields, then meets lawyers or attends hearings. He admits it is tiring, but he says he has no regrets.

For him, this is a service to society. He believes future generations will thank him. “If we allow all paddy lands to be converted, where will our children grow food?” he asks.

Symbol of Resistance

Across Kerala, Mukundan’s name is now being spoken of with respect. Environmentalists call him a symbol of resistance. Other farmers see him as proof that one man can fight a system.

In a state where politics often divides, his story unites. For some, he is a troublemaker who blocks development. For many more, he is a protector of nature.

Whatever the view, one fact is clear: without his case, the Thrissur Lulu Mall would have already broken ground.

The Bigger Picture

Mukundan’s fight is a reminder for India too. Across the country, farmland and wetlands are shrinking. Mega projects promise progress, but at what cost? India needs malls and highways, but it also needs rice fields and rivers. Striking that balance is the real challenge.

Mukundan may be just one farmer in Kerala, but his case shows the power of law, persistence, and courage. It proves that when citizens act, even billionaires have to pause.