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

Idukki District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt has asked the Forest department to submit a report on illegal constructions within elephant corridors across the district. Mr. Cheruvatt issued the directive during a District Development Committee (DDC) meeting held at the Idukki District Collectorate on Saturday. He instructed the department to gather reports from all divisions detailing unauthorised structures built along known elephant paths.

The decision followed concerns raised by Udumbanchola MLA Senapathy Venu over the Forest department’s refusal to grant permission for boating services at the Anayirankal dam. During the meeting, officials also noted that several resorts continue to operate on elephant corridors across the district.

Mr. Venu pointed out that boating is a major attraction in Kundala, Mattupetty, and the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady. “Wild elephant presence is strong in these tourist destinations, yet the Forest department raises no objections to boating there. In Anayirankal, there are only 17 wild elephants, but the department repeatedly blocks boating operations. We suspect this is being done to favour the Ponmudi tourism centre,” Mr. Venu said.

The Hydel Tourism wing, under the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), previously operated the boating service at Anayirankal dam, making it one of the district’s most popular tourist spots. Boating was halted in July 2023 following a Kerala High Court directive based on recommendations from a five-member expert committee appointed to study human-elephant conflicts in the State.

Meanwhile, Forest department sources maintained that the blocking of elephant corridors remains a critical issue in areas including Chinnakkanal. Officials recently cleared a major encroachment in the Devikulam range that was obstructing the movement of wild elephants near the Anayirankal dam reservoir.