Environmental Crisis in Idukki: Illegal Encroachment and Deforestation in Cardamom Hill Reserve

The Cardamom Hill Reserve (CHR) in Idukki, Kerala, is currently facing a severe environmental crisis. Reports indicate that approximately 296 acres of virgin forest cover have been cleared, accompanied by large-scale illegal construction and the felling of rare, protected tree species. These activities are being carried out under the guise of cardamom farming, exploiting land-use loopholes to bypass environmental regulations. Environmentalists and forest officials have expressed deep concern over the long-term ecological consequences of these encroachments. The CHR serves as a critical wildlife habitat and a vital component of the Western Ghats' ecosystem. The removal of forest cover significantly destabilizes the soil structure, making the region increasingly vulnerable to catastrophic landslides—a recurring disaster in the Idukki district. The loss of canopy cover also disrupts local micro-climates and threatens the endemic flora and fauna of the region.