Large-scale constructions on the Parunthumpara hills near Peerumade in Idukki.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has unearthed encroachments and constructions on government land on the Paruthumpara hills, near Peerumade, in Idukki district.
In a report, the SIT says encroachments and illegal constructions have been detected in survey number 534 of Peerumade village and 441 in Manjumala village in Peerumade taluk.
The constructions on the Parunthumpara hills near Peerumade in Idukki.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The SIT, headed by K. Sethuraman, Inspector General of Police, North Zone, says the encroachments and constructions have been made with the connivance of revenue and survey officials.
The report says that the Paruthumpara hills near Peerumade is one of the major tourist destinations in the district. “The encroachments and constructions have taken a toll on the natural grasslands on the hills. Besides, rock mining have also occurred in the area,” says the report.
“Revenue officials gave title deeds for many properties without verification and by changing survey numbers. To hide the encroachments on the hills, officials damaged revenue records, which is a serious issue,” it says.
The report says large-scale constructions were found on the valley and upland areas of the Paruthumpara hills. “The Revenue department and local bodies did not take any action to prevent such constructions. The government can take take steps to cancel the forged title deeds and resume the land,” it says.
The SIT found most of the title deed owners were holding land in excess. “Some of them are in possession of natural grasslands. Besides, many officials are unaware of the proper land details of these villages, jeopardising the stance of the Revenue department,” the report says.
The report recommends a probe either by a Sub-collector or an IAS officer to get a better picture of the land grab on the Parunthumpara hills besides transfer of revenue officials in these villages.
The SIT says it has unearthed 600 cases in which revenue officials changed survey numbers after the distribution of title deeds.
Sources said the SIT only verified details of major illegal constructions and encroachment cases on the Paruthumpara hills.
“Copies of the 774-page report have been submitted to the Idukki Collector, government, and the Kerala High Court for further action,” they said.
Published – February 28, 2025 08:59 pm IST