SHRC Acts on Poor Road Access to Tribal Settlements in Munnar

Rapid Summary

• The Kerala State Human rights Commission (SHRC) has registered a suo motu case highlighting the lack of road access to five tribal settlements in Munnar, Kerala.
• The issue was raised following a news report about an injured tribal woman who was carried on a bamboo stretcher over six kilometers of treacherous terrain due to the absence of proper road facilities.
• SHRC Chairperson Alexander Thomas directed the Idukki Collector to organize an emergency meeting with officials from various departments, including Revenue, Public Works, Tribal Welfare, health authorities, and forest management.
• Immediate action on road, health care, and education facilities has been mandated. Reports are expected within four weeks from block panchayat and district-related entities as well as wildlife officials regarding alleged Forest Department obstruction of sanctioned roads through tribal areas.
• A detailed review is scheduled for September 2 at Thodupuzha PWD Rest House where representatives must appear before the commission personally.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The SHRC’s intervention highlights serious infrastructural gaps affecting marginalized tribal communities in remote areas of Kerala like Munnar. The need for infrastructure enhancement-roads specifically-not onyl affects accessibility but also impacts critical sectors like healthcare delivery and education in these remote settlements.This incident has broader implications for governance policies in ecologically sensitive regions like Anamudi Shola National Park that often see tension between environmental conservation efforts and human welfare needs. Balanced coordination between forest management authorities and government agencies is required to address these challenges without compromising ecological integrity.

The commission’s directive ensures accountability by involving diverse stakeholders across administrative levels while offering some urgency through deadlines and mandatory personal appearances at hearings.

Read more: The Hindu