Sun Feb 22 14:23:20 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Land Survey for Landless in Idukki Forest Area Sparks Controversy Between Forest and Revenue Departments

The Story:

A land survey in Mankulam, Idukki, aimed at identifying land for the landless, has encountered significant opposition from the Forest Department. The department claims the survey, intended to allocate approximately 500 hectares, is being conducted within a proposed reserve forest area, violating the Kerala Forest Act of 1961 and Supreme Court orders. Revenue officials, however, maintain that the survey is taking place on revenue land outside forest boundaries. The dispute highlights the ongoing tension between the need to provide land for the landless and the imperative to protect ecologically sensitive forest areas.

Key Points:

  • The survey aims to allocate around 500 hectares of land to the landless in Mankulam, Idukki.
  • The Forest Department alleges the survey is being conducted within a proposed reserve forest area, specifically around 2 km from the forest boundary in a densely wooded area.
  • Revenue officials assert the survey is taking place on revenue land, outside the forest limits.
  • The Forest Department claims the survey violates the Kerala Forest Act 1961 and Supreme Court orders regarding the assignment of forest land.
  • The District Collector, Dineshan Cheruvath, claims the survey is being carried out in non-forest areas.
  • V.M. Arya, Subcollector, Devikulam, stated that the survey is being conducted on revenue land and that land needs to be assigned to 1,016 persons as per allotment notices given in 1998.
  • The Chief Forest Conservator (High Range Circle) has taken up the issue with the District Collector.

Key Takeaways:

  • The conflict underscores the challenges of balancing land redistribution with environmental protection in Kerala.
  • The differing interpretations of land boundaries between the Forest and Revenue Departments highlight systemic issues in land management.
  • Long delays in implementing land allocation decisions, dating back to 1998, exacerbate the pressure on available land and increase the likelihood of disputes.
  • The Supreme Court’s directives regarding forest land assignment are central to the legal arguments against the survey.
  • The involvement of senior officials from both departments indicates the seriousness of the dispute and the need for high-level intervention.

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