Eviction of Encroachments in Arunachala Hills

The article discusses the ongoing eviction of illegal settlers in the Arunachala Hills near the Arunachaleswara temple in Tiruvannamalai town, Tamil Nadu, with the aim of designating this area as a Reserve Forest (RF). The initiative is spearheaded by the Tiruvannamalai Corporation in response to safety concerns heightened by landslips experienced in the area, particularly following a tragic incident on December 1, 2024, when seven individuals lost their lives due to heavy rain-induced landslips.

Key Points of the Summary:

• Initiative Overview:

  • The Tiruvannamalai Corporation initiated the eviction of illegal encroachments along the 14-km Girivalam Path.
  • This step aims to prevent landslips, especially during the monsoon season.

• Background Incident:

  • A major landslip occurred on December 1, 2024, resulting in seven fatalities, which prompted the need for immediate action.

• Eviction Details:

  • Eviction notices have been issued to 143 identified illegal settlers residing in structures classified as illegal within the hills.
  • These encroachments mainly consist of houses located at the foothills under the jurisdiction of the Corporation, specifically affecting six wards.

• Service Disconnection:

  • To facilitate the eviction process, the Tiruvannamalai Corporation plans to disconnect piped water supply to these 143 houses and subsequently electricity supplied by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco).

• Extent of Encroachments:

  • A study by the Revenue Department identified approximately 3,535 illegal settlements in the Arunachala Hills.
  • Out of these, 1,535 structures have been pinpointed as houses built on government land, while an additional 2,000 structures exist on disputed land, making land records difficult to trace.

• Land Facts:

  • Approximately 576 acres of land in the hills are under illegal encroachments, with about 20 acres of forest land also subject to illegal settlements.

• Phased Eviction Plan:

  • The demolition of the first phase involving 1,535 illegal structures will occur in stages.
  • Notices have been issued to at least 400 houses for immediate evacuation.

• Coordination of Efforts:

  • Collector K. Tharpagaraj oversees the eviction operation, coordinating across various departments including Revenue, police, civic body, forests, and TANGEDCO.

• Forest Classification:

  • The Arunachala Hills are part of the Adi Annamalai RF, which spans over 900 hectares.
  • The hill area extends within a nine-kilometer radius, with the hill itself rising to an elevation of 2,668 feet above sea level.

• Cultural Significance:

  • The hill is notable for the Maha Deepam festival, where a fire is lit atop the hillock annually.

• Future Plans:

  • Once the encroachments are removed, the land is planned to be incorporated back into the existing forest areas, enhancing ecological integrity in the region.

This initiative is part of broader efforts to uphold environmental regulations and ensure the safety of local residents while also protecting the ecological landscape of the Arunachala Hills.