Forest department prepares proposal to develop roads to Edamalakkudy panchayat in Keralam’s Idukki
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Local people carrying a sick person on a makeshift stretcher at Edamalakkudy in Idukki. | Photo Credit: (File photo) SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Amid recurring incidents of people being carried on makeshift stretchers for medical emergencies in Edamalakkudy due to lack of proper road connectivity, the Forest department has prepared a proposal to improve accessibility to the tribal panchayat. Ninestretches will be developed into all-weather roads and a bridge will be constructed as per the proposal.
According to officials, the department is planning to develop existing roads as well convert few trekking paths into motorable, all-weather roads. The department has proposed to complete the projects in two phases, with a suggestion to complete the construction of the bridge in the first phase. The proposed bridgeacross the Manaliyar river will link six settlements to Societykudy, the base of the panchayat where a panchayat office, primary health centre and a school are located.”Now, a temporary woven bamboo footbridge anchored to a Njaval tree is the only link connecting the six settlements to Societykudy,” the report said.
Prepared by High Range Circle Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) D.K. Vinod Kumar, the report outlines a comprehensive plan to establish all-weather roads across all tribal hamlets in Edamalakkudy, which will soon be submitted to the State government alongside budgetary estimates. According to the officials, the proposal identifies key stretches that require immediate upgrade. The major stretches include an 18-km road from Eravikulam National Park (ENP) gate to Pettimudy, which is in a dilapidated condition, a 1.2-km forest path from Societykudy to Ambalaparakudy and a 3.6-km trekking path, connecting Keppakkad to Nooradikudy.
Meanwhile, addressing local demands for a new route connecting Koodallarkudy to Anakulam in Mankulam, the department argued that the project is unnecessary and driven by vested interests. In his report, the CCF said that the community members primarily sought all-weather access to the Munnar–Udumalpet road. “All essential public facilities, including health care, public distribution system, and schools, are located in and around Societykudy. Community representatives expressed satisfaction with the proposed link between Koodallarkudy and Societykudy. The demand for a Mankulam–Koodallarkudy route is being pushed by outsiders exploiting the tribal community,” the report stated.
“Moreover, the area fromKoodallarkudy to Mankulam is extremely steep and cutting a road through it is impractical and risks triggering severe landslips and ecological disasters,” according to the report.
Munnar Forest Range Officer S. Biju said that once the proposed roads and bridges are built, they will finally guarantee dependable, all-weather connectivity for the tribal panchayat.
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