The tribesists carrying a woman who carried a woman moved to a temporary stretcher made from bamboo poles over six kilometers in Valsapettyku Tribal Settlement on Friday in Munnar. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In a sharp reminder of the brutal realities facing the indigenous communities, L. Gandhi Ammal, tribal women from the distant tribal settlement Valsapettyku in the National Park Anamudi Shola under the Munnar Wildlife Division, wrinkled in pain in sight without ambulance. On the way to MGNGS work, she was injured and was eventually transferred to the nearest hospital in Marayur on a bamboo stretcher of more than 50 comrades, crawling six kilometers with treacherous terrain. This suffering takes place when monsoon rains leave almost 330 Muthuvan tribal families in five settlements cut off from basic services imprisoned in isolation in that the government failed to build the right way.
According to Idukki Block Panchayat C. Rajendrana, there is a motorway from Vattavada to Chilanthiyar and Ollavaayalky to Marayur. Between Chilanthiyar and Olalavayalky, a section of 13 km, there are tribal settlements such as valsapettyku, moolavalliku, vayaltharakudy, swamiyalalacuds, and co -ovallarku, which are struggling with the proper way. One has to travel 103 kilometers to achieve these settlements on the way of Munnar-Mararayur.
Former President Vattavada Gram Panchayat R. Ramaraj claimed that officials from the Division of the Munnar Division prevented the construction of a road designed for tribal settlements. “Representatives of people and local people tried to build a motor road in the 13 kilometers, but the forest department opposed it. Five tribal settlements were isolated in heavy rainfall. If the tribes need to visit other settlements, they must either pass several kilometers or travel over 100 kilometers across the Munnar route.”
Sources said that the government assigned CRORE 18.5 GBP to build a road connecting Chilanthiayar-Ollavaayal via valsapettyku. “However, the forest department ordered to obtain permission through the Parivesh portal for the construction of the road. The funds were then redirected to another project,” they said.
Mr. Rajendran said that because of the absence of the right road, children had to be moved to a hostel aged at the age of five to attend school. “If we put the right way, children can live with their families and get to school through the government project Vidyavahini,” he said.
Forest Dept. version
Meanwhile, the guardian Munnar Wildlife KV Harikrishnan said that the construction of the right road connected with settlements will require 3.5 hectares of forests. “The divisional forest officer (DFO) can provide one hectare of land for development activities. If more land is needed, the project user agency should apply for MOEF through the Parives Portal for permission.
Published – July 26, 2025 20:58
