4 hr risky trip through forests: Kerala tribal panchayat candidates' road to democracy

Before leaving their homes to file nominations for the upcoming local body elections, candidates from Edamalakkudy panchayat in Idukki reviewed their documents several times. They did so because they must travel nearly 40 km, about four hours by jeep, along an uneven, tortuous path from their panchayat office to the Munnar Sub-District Education Office.

The route passes through forest areas, and even light rain can make the journey impossible, forcing candidates to plan every step carefully. This is Kerala’s first tribal panchayat, formed in 2010. Candidates must travel around 13 km through forest terrain and another 25 km through a tea estate to reach Munnar.

“We can submit the nominations through our panchayat secretary, but as a tribal panchayat, several documents require attestation. All the main offices are in Munnar. There are no officials here to issue certificates, including caste certificates, which must be filed with the nomination papers. If anything needs attestation, there is no gazetted officer available either,” said Mohan Das, the current panchayat vice-president and the UDF candidate contesting from Ward 4.

On Wednesday, Mohan and 14 other UDF candidates travelled to Munnar to submit their papers. The first group of nine left around 10 am and reached by afternoon, followed by the rest. “Our decision was correct. One of our members had an issue with their documents when we reached, so we had to stay overnight in a lodge in Munnar and submit the nominations the next day.

“Since a small change in weather or lack of transport can disrupt travel, we have no other option. Two residents own jeeps, and we also rent them from outside when necessary. Candidates from other parties also go to the Munnar office,” he added. Five years ago, most of the distance had to be covered on foot.

“We often encounter elephants and other wild animals. When we see them, we either wait for them to pass or try to scare them away. We always travel in groups,” Mohan said. This jeep journey costs around ₹4,500. Due to the expense and time taken for further procedures, Mohan walked 6–7 km through the forest for two hours on Saturday, then took an autorickshaw costing about ₹1,200 to reach Munnar.

Residents have repeatedly demanded better roads. Construction of a concrete road from Pettimudi to Society Kudi, the panchayat base camp, began but stalled after covering about 4 km. “Hospitals, anganwadis and schools are in Pettimudi. It’s 11 km from our panchayat. If the remaining 7 km of road were completed, at least 60 per cent of our problems would be solved. We have two ambulances, but after two or three trips, they break down due to the bad roads,” Mohan said.

Panchayat members have approached ministers, collectors and department heads seeking road construction and basic offices, but progress has been slow. “Something always delays the work; funds may be sanctioned, but the forest department approval gets held up. Then the rains start, and contractors refuse to transport materials through difficult terrain,” he said. “Wild elephants destroyed three houses here last year. There are hardly any safe areas to construct offices or to accommodate officers.”

Only four wards have electricity, and many amenities, such as bridges, are incomplete or halted. “A mobile tower was built in my area only 15 days ago, that’s why communication is easier now. Earlier, it was difficult to get a signal. Another tower is under construction,” Mohan said.

The panchayat has around 3,700 residents, many of them elderly and in need of regular medical care. But due to an inadequate transport system, patients often fail to reach hospitals in time. In August, a 50-year-old woman with asthma died because she could not be taken to hospitals in Adimaly or Kottayam on time.

A bridge in the panchayat was opened for public use despite incomplete approach roads, with a temporary ladder installed at its midpoint. Although funds were allocated for a proper footbridge, work stopped after nearly 80 per cent of the structure was completed.