Will find permanent solution for land-related issues in Idukki, says Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan addressing a high-level meeting at Idukki Collectorate on Friday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT The State government will find a permanent solution to land-related issues in Idukki, Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan said here on Friday. Addressing a high-level meeting at the Collectorate convened to discuss land disputes in the district, Mr. Satheesan announced that the government will appoint a special counsel to represent the State in the Cardamom Hill Reserve (CHR) case.According to officials present at the meeting, the Chief Minister agreed to revoke two government orders that had led to a construction ban in the region. He also assured that various land rules will be amended and that the land settlement issues regarding the Kurinjimala Sanctuary will be addressed.Mr. Satheesan said the government had decided to translocate problematic wild elephants from Chinnakkanal region. He added that the government is seriously examining the rising human-wildlife conflict incidents across Idukki and will take prompt initiatives to tackle the issue.Fruit cultivationFurthermore, the Chief Minister announced that fruit cultivation will be permitted in a portion of plantation land.Emphasising land ownership rights, Mr. Satheesan said that title deed (pattayam) distribution across the district would be expedited, with 5,000 deeds slated for distribution soon. “I will directly intervene to resolve the pending title deed distribution issues currently before the Kerala High Court. The government has already resolved 60% of the land-related issues in the district, and the remaining 40% will be settled soon,” he said.The Chief Minister clarified that the government views genuine settlements and encroachments on different levels. While encroaching on public land will not be tolerated, the interests of genuine farmers will be safeguarded and title deeds granted to all eligible claimants. The government will also hold talks with the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) regarding title deed distribution in the 3-Chain and 10-Chain areas. Additionally, the Kanan Devan Hills (KDH) rules will be amended to grant title deeds to 222 families in the Kundala Sandos area of Munnar.Joint verificationMr. Satheesan added that the government has resolved not to convert revenue lands into reserve forests. A joint verification will soon be conducted at Mankulam to resolve local land disputes. The government also plans to amend relevant laws to revive plantations that remain non-operational.Forest Minister Shibu Baby John, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob, Government Chief Whip Apu John Joseph, Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose, MLAs F. Raja, Cyriac Thomas, Roy K. Paulose, and Senapathi Venu, along with District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt attended the meeting. Published - September 25, 2026 07:33 pm IST