Idukki to resume dismantling of illegal fences blocking elephant corridors
District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt orders the dismantling of unauthorised structures that obstruct wildlife movement. Farmers’ groups and the church leaders demand withdrawal of order. Chief Minister says genuine farmers will face no trouble, and only encroached fences will be cleared.
The State government in Kerala has decided to proceed with the dismantling of illegal fences blocking wildlife corridors in the Idukki district, despite objections from the Catholic Church and farmer organisations. The Devikulam forest range near Munnar has been identified as the location for the removal of unauthorized fences, walls, and structures that obstruct wildlife movement.
The decision comes after the State government clarified that the orders were issued to remove encroachments and that genuine farmers will not face any trouble. Forest officials have already removed fences at Panthadikkalam, restoring the elephant corridor, and another fence obstructing the movement of wild elephants crossing National Highway 85 between Mathikettan and Chinnakkanal was also removed.
The Forest Minister noted that large resorts situated along the natural paths of wild elephants were disrupting wildlife movement, and strict action would be taken against such illegal constructions.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Hindu's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
