Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Idukki orders removal of encroachments near Anayirankal dam
The Idukki district administration in Kerala has ordered the removal of encroachments near Anayirankal dam.
The order covers buildings, fences and farms on government land in the reservoir’s catchment area, near Munnar.
Officials say the area is a primary habitat for wild elephants in the Devikulam forest range.
The order follows years of deadly encounters: since 2015, elephant attacks in Idukki have killed 82 people and injured 486.
An inspection found at least 96 encroachments, though a full survey is still pending.
Residents have also called for fences blocking elephant corridors to be removed; the Collector said no attacks have been reported in one area since fences there were cleared.
A special team will oversee the eviction drive, while police provide security and departments report progress every two days.
Idukki’s District Collector ordered the immediate removal of encroachments and unauthorised constructions in the catchment areas of the Anayirankal dam.
The order was issued on November 7 under the Disaster Management Act.
Officials say the catchment area is a primary habitat for wild elephants in the Devikulam range.
A KSEB engineer reported at least 96 encroachments, while a comprehensive survey is still pending.
The order requires removal of buildings, fences and agricultural plots, and directs officials to report progress every two days.
- Who
- Idukki District Collector ordered the removal; a special team from the Revenue department, Forest department and Kerala State Electricity Board will carry it out.
- What
- Encroachments and unauthorised constructions in the Anayirankal dam catchment area are to be removed.
- When
- The order was issued on November 7. The year is not stated in the order details.
- Where
- The catchment areas of the Anayirankal dam near Munnar, in Idukki district, Kerala.
- Why
- Officials say the area is a primary habitat for wild elephants. The order cited encroachment, farming and fencing within the reservoir area.
Farmers’ groups and political parties
District administration
Fences in elephant corridors
Farmers’ groups and political parties
Farmers’ groups and political parties criticised an earlier order to clear fences across elephant corridors in Chinnakkanal.
District administration
Officials say encroachments and fences on government land have contributed to fatal elephant attacks.
Wild elephant attacks in Idukki district have killed 82 people and injured 486 others, according to the order.
An elephant killed a tribal man at the Panthadikkalam tribal settlement near Chinnakkanal.
The Collector ordered fences blocking elephant corridors to be removed; the order said no elephant attacks had since been reported in that specific area.
The District Collector issued an order for immediate removal of encroachments and unauthorised constructions in the Anayirankal dam catchment areas.
- Reported encroachments
- At least 96 in the catchment area, according to the KSEB executive engineer
- Land area
- Roughly 611.44 hectares under KSEB possession within the buffer zone
- Buffer zone
- Extends 10 chains from the dam’s full reservoir level
- Deaths and injuries
- 82 people killed and 486 injured in elephant attacks in Idukki since 2015
- Progress reports
- The Devikulam Subcollector must report to the Collector every two days