Sulthan Bathery: The Wayanad Sub-Collector has ordered the demolition of illegal structures, including buildings and ponds, at seven resorts and homestays located on the Ambukuthi Mountain ranges in Nenmeni panchayat. These constructions fall within the 500-metre buffer zone of a high-risk landslide-prone area. The demolition must be completed within 15 days.

The order, issued on December 17, directed the District Geologist and Hazard Analyst to oversee the process, ensuring all safety protocols are followed. In case of non-compliance, the respondents must appear before the Sub-Collector's court on January 8 to explain their failure to execute the order. Additionally, the Nenmeni village officer was tasked with monitoring and reporting on the demolition’s progress and completion.

Structures to be demolished
The report identified several resorts for partial or full demolition, including Eagle Nest Resort, Rock Villa Resort, Edakkal Village Resort, and Aster Gravity Resort. These facilities violate the landslide susceptibility zone restrictions established by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) with technical support from the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS). The District Disaster Management Authority had earlier banned the construction of tourist accommodations in this zone, such as villas, resorts, and homestays.

Action following joint committee report
The demolition directive follows discussions at the District Development Committee meeting on September 28 regarding illegal constructions on Ambukuthi Hills. A joint committee, comprising the Sulthan Bathery Tahsildar, District Geologist, Hazard Analyst, District Soil Conservation Officer, and Executive Engineer (Minor Irrigation), was formed to inspect the sites. The committee submitted its report on December 9, highlighting the extent of the violations.

Environmental risks highlighted
The report revealed alarming details about the illegal constructions:
Eagle Nest Resort: Built on a 48-degree slope, with concrete water tanks precariously placed on the mountain's eastern peak, posing a severe threat to valley residents.

Rock Villa Resort: Features a swimming pool and three large ponds, ranging from 10x15 meters to 20x20 meters in size and three feet deep. These ponds obstruct the natural flow of streams from the mountain, increasing pressure on the fragile landmass and heightening the risk of landslides.
The report emphasised that such unauthorised ponds and structures exacerbate environmental instability in a fragile zone, endangering lives and ecosystems.

Fear among valley residents
Since the devastating 2019 Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide, which claimed over 300 lives, residents in Wayanad’s valleys have lived in constant fear during the monsoon season. Frequent public meetings held by local panchayats have been inundated with complaints about illegal hilltop constructions threatening public safety and nature.

Environmentalists welcome action
The Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi (WPSS) welcomed the district administration’s move, urging prompt and uncompromising execution of the order. WPSS Secretary Thomas Ambalavayal expressed hope that the administration would withstand political pressures and protect both nature and lives. “We have been advocating for this action for years, tirelessly pursuing it through various channels,” he added.