States » SouthPosted at: Oct 1 2026 7:19PM


Protect soil, water and nature for agriculture to survive: Idukki Collector

Munnar (Kerala), Oct 1 (UNI) Agriculture can survive only if soil, water and nature are protected, Idukki District Collector Dr Dineshan Cheruvath said here on Thursday.
He was delivering the G Raj Kumar Memorial Lecture online at the concluding ceremony of the Kurinji Walkathon jointly organised by the Save Kurinji Council and Munnar Environment and Wildlife Society.
Dr Cheruvath said those raising their voice for nature conservation were being opposed by reactionary forces. He alleged that the interests of such forces were not aligned with the protection of farmers and that a tourism lobby was operating in the name of farmers.
“Those who have insulted people by referring to them as hill farmers do not want agriculture to survive. They want to make more money within a short period,” he said.
The Collector said ordinary people were losing their lives in wild elephant attacks in Chinnakanal and that the affected families were often forgotten after the initial public attention.
He said the call to protect the Neelakurinji and grasslands was not intended solely for the benefit of tourists but to preserve the entire ecosystem.
“Drinking water and other basic necessities will be available only if the grasslands survive. The reactionary forces have no interest in basic facilities, including drinking water,” he said.
Dr Cheruvath said the Chief Minister had announced that encroachments and migration would be viewed separately and alleged that reactionary forces were attempting to circumvent this approach.
Additional PCCF Dr Pramod G Krishnan, who delivered the Kurinji message, said the grasslands were facing the threat of extinction.
“It is impossible to imagine a Munnar without Nilgiri tahrs, Neelakurinji and the Muthuvan community,” he said.
M J Babu presided over the function. KAFDC Managing Director Raju K Francis distributed mementos, while Devikulam Sub Collector V M Arya flagged off the walkathon.
Munnar Wildlife Warden K V Harikrishnan, retired ACF James Zacharia, High Range Wildlife and Environment Association chairman B Pramod Krishnan, Adivasi Muthuva Samudaya Sangham president M Pal Raj, P R Sreekumar, Sojan George, V Vinod and R Mohan also spoke.
Shilo K Dev welcomed the gathering and Mini Manoj proposed the vote of thanks.
UNI DS
Tags: #Protect soil# water and nature for agriculture to survive: Idukki Collector
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