NH Protection Forum Announces Long March, Devikulam Hartal on July 31

Speedy Summary

• The National highway Protection Council plans a long march and Devikulam taluk hartal on July 31 to protest the Forest Department’s alleged interventions hindering road widening of the 14.5-km Neriamangalam-Valara-Adimaly stretch of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway.
• Various farmers’ groups, religious organizations (KPMS, Catholic Church, SNDP, kerala muslim Jamaat, jacobite Church), and political parties (Congress, NDA, AAP) support the protest.
• Protest activities include reaching Adimaly via vehicle rally by 9:30 a.m., followed by a march starting from Aram Mile forest station at 10:30 a.m.
• A previous Kerala High court order restricted tree felling and widening after a petition filed by environmentalist M.N. jayachandran.
• On May 30, 2024, the court stated forest officials should not interfere with widening efforts but declared revenue land encompassed only within 100 meters of the road.
• Recently, State’s Additional Chief Secretary submitted an affidavit declaring contested areas as forest land; this decision impacted road advancement progress negatively.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The conflict over road-widening on the Neriamangalam-Valara-Adimaly highway underscores ongoing tensions in balancing infrastructure development with environmental conservation. While local residents advocate for improved connectivity due to safety concerns and development needs in Idukki district-a longstanding demand-the Forest Department’s stance raises legitimate questions about preserving green cover.

Legal restrictions imposed by Kerala High Court highlight intricate legal frameworks governing land classification as revenue versus forest land. The affidavit labeling disputed stretches as forest territory has further complicated progress.The involvement of diverse social groups and political parties in supporting protests reflects deeper communal frustration toward delays in developmental projects crucial for economic growth in remote areas like Idukki. Moving forward, resolving disputes through clear government intervention-potentially involving revised affidavits or alternative ecological safeguards-could strike harmony between environmental stewardship and public interest.

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