Idukki to resume dismantling of illegal fences blocking elephant corridors

Despite objections from the Catholic Church and farmers’ organisations against the Idukki District Collector’s directive to clear illegal fences blocking wildlife corridors, the State government has decided to proceed with the drive to remove the illegal barriers under the Devikulam forest range near Munnar.

District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt had issued an order instructing the Munnar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) to identify unauthorised barriers and initiate prompt action. It directed the Local Self-Governments, Revenue, Forest, and Survey departments to locate and demolish unauthorised fences, walls, and structures erected without clearance along forest boundaries.

The order states that the Devikulam Sub-Collector, Munnar DFO, LSGD Joint Director, and Deputy Director of Survey are deputed to remove structures obstructing wildlife movement.

But irate farmer groups and the Idukki diocese of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church protested the order, asking for its immediate withdrawal.

Forest department officials dismantling an illegal fence blocking the movement of wild elephants under the Devikulam forest range on Thursday.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan clarified on Friday that ambiguity in the Collector’s order had caused unnecessary concern. “Some encroachers constructed fences across elephant corridors, and orders were issued to remove them. Encroached fences will be cleared, and genuine farmers will face no trouble,” he said.

Speaking to the media, Forest Minister Shibu Baby John noted that large resorts situated along the natural paths of wild elephants in Chinnakkanal and the Devikulam forest range were disrupting wildlife movement. “The Forest department will take strict action against such illegal constructions. Around 18 wild elephants have been stranded in Chinnakkanal due to blocked corridors.” Mr. John said.

Corridor restored

Acting on the Collector’s order, Forest officials removed fences at Panthadikkalam on Thursday, restoring the elephant corridor. Devikulam Range Officer E.D. Arun Kumar said illegal fences erected in the catchment areas of the Anayirankal dam for cardamom farming were also dismantled. “Another fence obstructing the movement of wild elephants crossing National Highway 85 between Mathikettan and Chinnakkanal was removed, restoring the corridor,” the official added.

Meanwhile, Father Jins Karakkatt, director of the Idukki Diocese Media Commission, termed the decision “inhuman.”

“Farmers erect fences and walls to safeguard their lives, properties, and farmlands. Removing these barriers will grant wild animals unrestricted access to human settlements,” Fr. Karakkatt said.

Echoing similar concerns, Mathew Varghese, State vice-president of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) — the farmers’ wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI)— criticised the move.

Illegal encroachments targeted

Clarifying the stance, High Range Circle Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) D.K. Vinod Kumar stated that the department was only targeting encroachments on government land.

“Action is being taken strictly against illegal encroachments and fencing across identified elephant corridors on revenue and forest land. Rumours alleging the demolition of farmers’ fences are entirely baseless,” the official said.

According to officials, the district administration intensified measures to curb human–wildlife conflict after four people were killed in wild elephant attacks in the past four months. Following formal approval from the State government on Friday, the Forest department will resume the drive to clear obstructions along elephant corridors across the Devikulam forest range.