Kerala   

Sabarimala development hits a snag

Radhakrishnan Kuttoor

Idukki Collector cancels transfer of 313 acres in Kambakallu

PATHANAMTHITTA: The much sought-after Sabarimala development project is likely to remain a non-starter with the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) opposing the appointment of Ecosmart India Limited by the State Government for preparing a Sabarimala master plan. The TDB has since suspended all services of the Delhi-based agency.

In a letter [No.5-28/2003-PT(PART) of 30-1-2006] to the TDB Commissioner, Union Environment and Forests Secretary Pradipto Ghosh expressed concern over ``the TDB disassociating itself from the master plan being drawn up by a professional agency engaged by the Government of Kerala for facilitating Sabarimala pilgrim visitation.''

The letter reiterated that ``the in-principle approval for diversion of forest land and related clearances under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 have been granted by the Union Ministry subject to fulfilment of several conditions. This, inter alia, include that all activities in such areas shall form part of the approved master plan.''

He pointed out that the Union Ministry had provided funding support to the State Government for preparing the master plan by a professional agency. Mr. Ghosh warned that ``any departure from the agreed course of action would necessarily lead to cancellation of clearances accorded for diverting forest land in Sabarimala.''

The prime condition prescribed for forest land diversion in Nilackal and Sabarimala was that any development project or construction activity in the holy hills should be part of a definite master plan approved by the Union Ministry.

It is alleged that ego clashes between the stakeholders have led to the controversy over Sabarimala development during the past one year.

Meanwhile, in a major development, the Idukki Collector has cancelled the transfer of 313.34 acres of revenue land at Kambakallu in Idukki to the Forest Department.

In an earlier order on September 7, 2005 (No: C3-35032/05), the Collector had transferred ``313.34 acres of revenue land at Kambakallu in Survey No.58/1 of Kottakambur village in Idukki district to the Forest Department for compensatory afforestation in lieu of the forest land transferred to the TDB for providing facilities to Sabarimala pilgrims at Nilackal.''

However, in another order [No: C3-35032/2005(3)] issued on January 27, 2006, the Collector cancelled his earlier order simply stating that ``on further verification, some mistakes were found in the boundaries specified.'' Though it said that further orders would be issued in due course, no further development has taken place so far.

The recent diversion of 12.7 hectares of forest land in the Periyar Tiger Reserve for the proposed Sabarimala development project would be of little use unless the TDB prepared a master plan for the same.

The outcome of the confusion is that the sad plight of hundreds of pilgrims coming to Sabarimala from different parts of the country will continue. And the next pilgrim season is hardly six months away.

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