Idukki: The revenue department has started an eviction drive on encroachments on the Calvary Mount in Kamakshy Grama Panchayat, which is a major ecotourism hotspot in the Idukki district.
The Calvary Mount, around 8 km from Idukki dam, is a popular destination for tourists as it offers a great view of the catchment area of the dam.
A team led by Idukki sub-collector Arun S Nair and revenue officials cleared encroachments by three private parties, including a resort, on one acre by widening the road to the Calvary Mount Tourist Centre from 3.5 metres to nearly 10.
Officials of the Kamakshy Grama Panchayat and the Thankamony Police were present at the site.
“We got several complaints including that of an organisation called Vana Samrakshna Samithi which is associated with the ecotourism activities on the Mount. All the proceedings as per Kerala Conservancy Act were completed including the servicing of C Form before eviction. The encroachers are of the stand that the evicted areas were included in their patta (land deed). However, the sketches with the department and resurvey revealed that the road has been encroached,” said Mini K John, land records Tahsildar of Idukki Taluk.
She said almost 90 percent of encroachments on the Mount have been evicted. Some portions of a road and a few sheds are yet to be removed. The eviction process will continue on Saturday.
