Illegal Tree Felling and Construction Threaten Virgin Forests in Idukki's Cardamom Hill Reserve

Illegal tree felling and construction activities have been reported on the Gudanpara estate, located within the Cardamom Hill Reserve (CHR) in Idukki district. The site, which falls under the Ponmudi Forest Section of the Devikulam range, poses a serious threat to the region's untouched virgin forest cover.

According to sources, large-scale felling of rare trees and construction activities were carried out under the guise of cardamom farming. The illegal activities took place on 296.640 acres of cardamom title land. The land was originally claimed by three residents from Pala and four from Tamil Nadu, and was subsequently leased out, after which the tree felling and construction began.

Within a period of one and a half years, the Forest department registered three cases related to rare tree felling. Despite these legal actions, the work continued. The land in question is untouched virgin forest, home to rare tree species, with no prior farming activities. The landowners claim to have received Cardamom Title Deeds (Ela Pattayam) for the 296 acres, but have failed to produce copies of these deeds despite repeated requests.

The Gudanpara estate, which borders Tamil Nadu, extends over 600 acres. Sources allege that under the guise of an illegal lease agreement, there are attempts to clear the entire area and sell the property, including adjacent revenue land. The lease agreement was reportedly issued in the names of Satheesh Kumar, Deva Arputharaj Singh, Gnanavel Subramani, and Radhakrishnan, all residents of Tamil Nadu.

The 600-acre virgin forest serves as a natural habitat for wild animals, including elephants, tigers, and gaurs. Environmentalists warn that destroying this habitat will inevitably drive these animals into human settlements, increasing human-wildlife conflict.

Construction activities are strictly prohibited on cardamom title deed lands. However, leaseholders used earthmovers to construct three large ponds, each spanning approximately one and a half acres. Storing such large volumes of water in hilly terrains could trigger major landslides. By law, the maximum extent allowed for leasing cardamom title lands is 10 hectares (25 acres). This illegal lease agreement violates all existing land rules in the state.

When contacted, Devikulam Range Officer E.D. Arun Kumar stated that the Forest department has registered three cases against the offenders and presented them before the court. During the investigation, the landowners failed to produce any documents proving original ownership or lease agreements. In CHR lands, the Forest department can only book cases related to tree felling. The issue has been reported to the Devikulam Tahsildar and the Devikulam Sub-collector.

Munnar Divisional Forest Officer Saju Varghese confirmed that upon receiving the information, the Forest department registered a case, seized vehicles, and stopped the tree felling.

Devikulam Sub-collector V.M. Arya stated that she will look into the matter and take further steps.

Botanist Jomy Augustine noted that clearing untouched virgin forests along the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border will allow hot air from Tamil Nadu to flow into Kerala. These forests play a pivotal role in regulating Idukki's climate and ensuring suitable conditions for cardamom farming. Destroying these forests and allowing construction in CHR lands could alter the local climate and trigger disasters like landslides. He further warned that the virgin forests along the border are hubs for rare and endemic plant and tree species, and their destruction could lead to extinction of these unique species.