IDUKKI: The Cabinet sub-committee constituted to look into the issues related to Kurinjimala sanctuary in Idukki on Tuesday wrapped up its two-day visit in the proposed areas of the sanctuary and consultations with settlers, reassuring none of the settlers will be removed from their residence in the name of the sanctuary.Revenue Minister E Chandrasekharan, who was one the three members of the ministerial team, told reporters the government is planning to wind up all the proceedings on Kurinjimala sanctuary and a final notification will be issued within a year. He said the total extent of the sanctuary will not be reduced post completion of the settlement process.
Earlier, the team comprising Chandrasekharan, Forest Minster K Raju and Electricity Minister M M Mani held a meeting in Munnar with people’s representatives of the area. Local body members and various party leaders echoed the concerns which the settlers had raised before the ministers the other day. Vattavada gram panchayat president Ramraj demanded the proposed boundaries of the sanctuary be redrawn.
“A new notification should be issued, redrawing the boundaries of the sanctuary in which human settlements are excluded. The ownership of the land, which is under the possession of settlers for generations, should be regularised by providing pattayam (title deeds). Those living here for more than 450 years should not be portrayed as encroachers,” Ramraj said.
Others said the draft notification included 10 of 13 wards in Vattavada gram panchayat in the sanctuary.
“As many as 2,041 houses, 62 shrines, eight educational institutions and various government offices now fall under the proposed sanctuary area. They should be excluded,” they demanded. They said the boundary of the sanctuary should be confined to places marked as forest area.Chandrasekharan reassured none of the residents will be evicted from the sanctuary area and requested people to allow the officers concerned to complete the settlement process.
“People should take the officers into confidence and officers must also consider people’s grievances.
Those residing here for decades but not having any documents for their land also won’t be evicted,” he said.Raju said the sanctuary aimed at preventing encroachments and protecting Neelakurinji plants. “However, patta land will be excluded from the sanctuary,” he said. Idukki MP Joice George, Devikulam MLA S Rajendran, Congress leader and former MLA A K Mani were also present at the meeting.
‘Govt hand in glove with encroachers’
T’Puram: Former KPCC president V M Sudheeran said the visit of the three-member ministerial delegation to the Kurinji hills in Idukki is the government’s secret agenda of protecting the land grabbers in the area. ‘’Lining up placard-wielding women during the time of the visit was part of the collusion between the government and those who annexed large tracts of revenue land in the Kurinji sanctuary areas,” he said. Sudheeran, in a letter, urged Pinarayi to focus on preventing any lapses which may lead to the loss of Kuttalam Palace.