Idukki Orders Removal of Anayirankal Dam Encroachments

On November 7, the Idukki District Collector ordered the immediate removal of encroachments and unauthorised constructions in the Anayirankal dam catchment under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The order followed an inspection that found farming, fencing and other encroachments within the dam’s full reservoir level area.

Eviction drive and survey

A team comprising the Devikulam Subcollector, the Munnar divisional forest officer and an executive engineer from the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) will carry out the drive. The KSEB engineer reported at least 96 encroachments; a comprehensive survey is pending. The order covers buildings, fences and agricultural plots. The engineer was also directed to remove unauthorised fences and disconnect power lines, pumps and irrigation hoses on encroached land.

The Devikulam Subcollector will supervise the operation and submit progress reports every two days. Government departments are responsible for clearing encroachments on land under their jurisdiction, and recovered plots are to be geo-tagged. The catchment is also identified as habitat for wild elephants. Since 2015, elephant attacks have killed 82 people and injured 486 in Idukki district.

Important Facts for Exams

• District disaster authority: The Act requires state governments to establish a District Disaster Management Authority in each district, chaired by the Collector, District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner.
• Reservoir operating levels: Full Reservoir Level denotes the highest level intended for normal reservoir operation; Maximum Water Level is higher and accommodates temporary flood surcharge.
• KSEB corporate status: Kerala State Electricity Board Limited was incorporated in 2011 after the former statutory electricity board was reorganised, remaining a state-owned power utility.
• Elephant legal protection: The Asian elephant is listed in Schedule I of India’s Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, which carries the statute’s strongest species-protection regime.