No need to fill up check dam on Chokramudi hills: report

Inspection rules out filling check dam on Chokramudi hills in Idukki, citing risk of soil erosion and landslides.

An inspection conducted by Minor Irrigation and Soil Conservation departments has ruled out the need to fill up the check dam on Chokramudi hills in the Bison Valley panchayat, Idukki.

Bison Valley panchayat secretary Suni N. said the inspection report does not recommend filling up the check dam.

Recently, District Collector V. Vigneshwari directed the Bison Valley panchayat secretary to fill up a check dam at the Chokramudi hills within 30 days under the District Disaster Management Authority Act (DDMA).

Officials conducted an inspection and found that a portion of the check dam was damaged and water was flowing through the portion. “If we fill up the dam with soil from nearby areas of the hill, it could lead to further soil erosion or a landslide,” said an official.

The official team further suggested planting vetiver and grass in the area to prevent soil erosion on the hills.

According to panchayat officials, the report’s recommendations will be handed over to the Collector.

Meanwhile, the Chokramudi Protection Council has expressed concerns regarding the report. Byju Balakrishnan, a member of the council, said that the council has already called an executive meeting to discuss the issue. “We will submit a letter to the panchayat secretary, requesting not to consider the report. The current check dam, measuring 20 m in length, 10 m in width, and 4 m in depth, continues to pose a threat to the residents living in the valley area of Bison Valley panchayat. We demand the removal of the check dam’s bunds and the planting of vetiver and grass in the area to prevent soil erosion,” said Mr. Balakrishnan.