2 months ago
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In 2024, the Chokramudi hills nether Bison Valley panchayat adjacent Munnar successful Idukki were known chiefly arsenic a hub for encroachers. However, conscionable 2 years later, the scenery has been transformed into a thriving earthy situation for the endangered Nilgiri tahrs.
The situation began successful August 2024 erstwhile an Adimaly autochthonal purchased 14.69 acres of onshore successful the ecologically fragile Chokramudi hills, attempting to subdivide and merchantability the country into implicit 60 plots. The encroacher constructed an amerciable road, felled galore trees, and built a cheque dam connected the hillside. In response, downstream residents of Bison Valley formed the “Chokramudi Protection Council” to protestation the amerciable operation and encroachment.
Two Special Investigation Teams (SIT)—one headed by K. Sethuraman, erstwhile Director of the Police Training College, and different led by the Devikulam Subcollector—uncovered large-scale encroachment of authorities onshore and the monolithic demolition of uncommon Neelakurinji plants.
Following these reports, the Revenue Department cancelled the 13.69 acres of land’s rubric deeds successful March 2025 and reclaimed the country for the government. By August 2025, authorities besides cancelled the rubric deed for an further 1.05 acres and seized a edifice built connected the encroached spot connected the Chokramudi hills.
Since the authorities takeover, the lack of unregulated tourism has allowed quality to rebound. Local tribespeople study that Nilgiri tahrs are present often camping successful the area, often grazing alongside the tribes’ cattle.
Botanist Jomy Augustine confirmed that the Chokramudi hills person go an progressive situation for the Nilgiri tahrs and Neelakurinji. “The clime and grasslands present are astir favourable for the Nilgiri tahr,” Mr. Augustine said. “Additionally, the hills are acceptable to witnesser a monolithic flowering of Neelakurinji this August. The valleys volition beryllium painted successful shades of violet,” helium added.
According to section residents, different wildlife, including chaotic elephants, are besides progressively spotted returning to the Chokramudi hills.
