JUDGMENT

The petitioner, who is stated to be the owner of 4.00 cents (1.62 Ares) of land in Sy. No. 677/2 (Re.Sy.No.232/10- 2) in Block No. 36 at Edathala Grama Panchayat, covered by Ext.P1 sale deed bearing No. 6288/2006, has filed this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a writ of mandamus directing the 3rd respondent to pass orders of conversion of the property in the data bank from 'nilam' to 'dry land'. The petitioner has also sought for a writ of mandamus commanding the 3rd respondent to take appropriate action on Ext.P5 and to issue building permit to the petitioner.

2. On 18.03.2019, when this writ petition came up for admission, after arguing for some time, the learned counsel for the petitioner sought adjournment.

3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and also the learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents.

4. Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008 was enacted to conserve the paddy land and wet land and to restrict the conversion or reclamation thereof, in order to promote growth in the agricultural sector and to sustain the ecological system, in the State of Kerala. Clause (iii) of Section 2 of the