Click to play videoMunnar (Kerala): Illegal encroachments and constructions abound in Kerala’s mountain paradise making it a concrete jungle.
The state government has now embarked on a drastic demolition drive to save Munnar and all illegal constructions are simply being razed.
“All illegal encroachments in Munnar town and surrounding areas will be removed immediately,” says District Collector of Idukki area Raju Narayanaswamy.
Tourist resorts have been cropping up by the day across Munnar eating into forests and government land.
The state Electricity department alone lost 250 acres of land while the Forest and Revenue departments are yet to assess the loss.
It needed an on-the-spot assessment by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan to initiate strong measures.
“We are going all out against the encroachers. All force will be used to evict those who have broken the law,” says IG Police Rishiraj Singh.
The strong police presence in Munnar may be keeping their expansion plans in check, but resort owners and tour operators feel such strict action will give tourism the thumbs-down.
Munnar is already struggling to accommodate tourists every season.
Kerala government says they will leave no stone unturned in their demolition drive and Chief Minister Achuthanathan labels this a crusade against the so-called resort mafia.
But putting him in a tight spot is the fact that a large number of encroachers are political bigwigs belonging to his and other parties in the state.
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