Idukki Collector directs Forest department to submit report on illegal constructions within elephant corridors

Idukki District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt has instructed the Forest department to provide a report on illegal constructions within elephant corridors located in the district. This directive was announced during a District Development Committee (DDC) meeting at the Idukki District Collectorate on Saturday. Cheruvatt asked the department to collect reports from all divisions regarding unauthorized structures built along known elephant paths.

The decision came after concerns raised by Udumbanchola MLA Senapathy Venu about the Forest department’s refusal to permit boating services at the Anayirankal dam.

During the meeting, it was noted that several resorts are still operating on elephant corridors across the district. Mr. Venu pointed out that boating is a significant draw in Kundala, Mattupetty, and the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady. He expressed concern that the Forest department does not object to boating in these tourist destinations, but blocks it at Anayirankal, where there are only 17 wild elephants. Venu speculated that this might be done to favor the Ponmudi tourism centre.

The Hydel Tourism wing, which is under the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), was previously responsible for operating boating services at the Anayirankal dam, making it one of the district’s most popular tourist spots. However, boating was discontinued in July 2023 due to a Kerala High Court directive based on a five-member expert committee’s recommendations to study human-elephant conflicts in the state.

Meanwhile, sources from the Forest department stated that blocking elephant corridors remains a significant issue in areas such as Chinnakkanal. Recently, the department cleared a major encroachment in the Devikulam range that was hindering the movement of wild elephants near the Anayirankal dam reservoir.