The Kochi High Court has issued a directive to cease all construction activities on Kuruva Island in Wayanad until further approvals are obtained. The bench, comprising Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and P Gopinath, took suo motu cognizance of escalating human-animal conflicts across Kerala, prompting this decisive action.
Advocate Sandesh Raja informed the court that approximately Rs 2 crore worth of construction projects for eco-tourism had been sanctioned on Kuruva Island. Expressing concern, the bench instructed the additional advocate general to urgently clarify how such approvals were granted without necessary procedures.Additionally, the court directed the Idukki district collector to furnish a report on the legality of private safaris, following a tragic incident where an elephant mahout was fatally attacked. It was revealed that unauthorized safaris involving 36 elephants were ongoing across Kerala without requisite permissions, raising serious regulatory and safety concerns.
Amicus curiae Ramesh Babu highlighted the urgent necessity for fencing around the waste dump yard at Kallar to prevent wild elephant intrusions. Responding to financial constraints voiced by the Munnar panchayath, the bench sought clarification on utilizing government funds initially and exploring adjustments from other payable amounts. Furthermore, the court sought details on the availability of district disaster management authority funds for this critical environmental safeguarding measure.The judicial scrutiny underscores a heightened focus on environmental conservation and safety protocols amidst growing developmental activities impacting wildlife habitats in Kerala.
