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 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.

However, the directive has drawn sharp backlash from farmer groups and the Idukki diocese of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, both demanding its immediate withdrawal.