Idukki Collector orders removal of unauthorised barriers obstructing wildlife movement

Amid a rise in fatal wild animal attacks across Idukki district in Kerala, District Collector Dinesan Cheruvattu has ordered the removal of illegal fences obstructing wildlife corridors.

According to the order, the Munnar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) must identify unauthorised barriers and initiate necessary action. It directed the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD), Revenue, Forest, and Survey departments to locate and demolish unauthorised fences, walls, and structures built without clearance along forest boundaries.

The order stated: “Devikulam Sub-Collector, Munnar DFO, LSGD Joint Director, and Deputy Director of Survey have been deputed to remove structures obstructing wildlife movement.”

Following the directive, forest officials on Thursday began removing illegally installed solar fences at Panthadikkalam under the Devikulam forest range.

Order draws backlash

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

Fr. Jins Karakkatt, director of the Idukki Diocese Media Commission, termed the decision “inhumane.”

“Farmers erect fences and walls to safeguard their lives, properties, and farmlands. Removing these barriers will grant wild animals unrestricted access to human settlements,” said Fr. Karakkatt. “Instead of keeping wild animals inside forest boundaries, this order obstructs residents from setting up protective walls and solar fences. The order was issued without proper study and must be withdrawn immediately,” said Fr. Karakkatt.

Echoing similar concerns, Mathew Varghese, State Vice President of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) — the farmers’ wing of the CPI — criticised the move.

“The order virtually implies that residents must be evicted to facilitate wildlife movement into human habitations. Such decisions, made at the behest of the forest department, are unacceptable,” Mr Varghese said.

Clarifying the administration’s stance, High Range Circle Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) D. K. Vinod Kumar stated that the department only sought the removal of encroachments on government land.

“The Forest department has neither recommended nor initiated the removal of fences from private farmlands. Action is being taken strictly against illegal encroachments and fencing across identified elephant corridors on revenue and forest land,” Mr. Kumar said. “Rumours alleging the demolition of farmers’ fences are entirely baseless.”

According to officials, the district administration has strengthened initiatives to curb human-wildlife conflict in the district after four people were killed in wild elephant attacks within four months. Officials said two deaths occurred within a week in the area. The latest victim was a tribal farmer, Vijayan (47), a resident of Panthadikkalam settlement near Santhanpara, who was trampled to death by a wild tusker, known as Chakkakompan, on Wednesday morning.