<p>Thiruvananthapuram: With a section of local people and a prominent church, having the backing of both the ruling CPM and the opposition Congress in Kerala, pressurising the government to reopen a centuries old road passing through the thick forests of Idukki - Ernakulam districts in Kerala - some environmentalists have now taken up their objection with the Prime Minister.</p><p>The ongoing row is over the old road connecting Aluva near Kochi with major tourist spot Munnar in the high ranges of Idukki. The road is often referred to as the 'royal path' with its history dating back to many centuries. The 120 km route that was washed away in the 1924 floods was closed permanently in 2010 after an alternate road was developed and made a highway.</p>.Setback for BJP? Organiser article attacking priests draws ire of Church in Kerala.<p>A demand to reopen the road has now aggravated with church leaders and local people launching a stir with the backing of the Congress and CPM, citing that the route could reduce distance by at least 20 kilometres. Even Syro Malabar church leaders were booked on charges of entering the forest areas as part of the stir recently.</p><p>However, the forest department has strongly objected to it saying that 26 kilometres of the stretch passes through thick forests with an elephant corridor.</p><p>Kochi-based Animals and Nature Ethic Committee (ANEC) has now sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They said that the demand to reopen the road passing through the forest was being raised at a time when the state was lamenting over the frequent man-animal conflicts. They also alleged that the interest of tourism industry and real estate lobbies were behind the ongoing stir. </p><p>Even Kerala tourism minister Mohammed Riyas had earlier stated in the assembly that reopening of the road could be a boost to the tourism sector.</p><p>ANEC said that the demand to reopen the road could trigger man-animal conflicts.</p><p>"The loss of lives of wild endangered animals is alarmingly high. From 2016 to 2023, the state lost as many as 763 wild elephants, while the total number of wild elephants in the state is around 1,800. Similarly over 50 tigers were lost between 2016 and 2024 while the total number now is only around 180," ANEC said in a statement.</p><p>The old Aluva-Munnar road was believed to have existed since 1200 as a pathway used by traders. It was further developed and made motorable during the late 1800s. After the road was badly damaged in the 1924 floods, an alternate road was developed - the present highway connecting Kochi and Munnar.</p>
<p>Thiruvananthapuram: With a section of local people and a prominent church, having the backing of both the ruling CPM and the opposition Congress in Kerala, pressurising the government to reopen a centuries old road passing through the thick forests of Idukki - Ernakulam districts in Kerala - some environmentalists have now taken up their objection with the Prime Minister.</p><p>The ongoing row is over the old road connecting Aluva near Kochi with major tourist spot Munnar in the high ranges of Idukki. The road is often referred to as the 'royal path' with its history dating back to many centuries. The 120 km route that was washed away in the 1924 floods was closed permanently in 2010 after an alternate road was developed and made a highway.</p>.Setback for BJP? Organiser article attacking priests draws ire of Church in Kerala.<p>A demand to reopen the road has now aggravated with church leaders and local people launching a stir with the backing of the Congress and CPM, citing that the route could reduce distance by at least 20 kilometres. Even Syro Malabar church leaders were booked on charges of entering the forest areas as part of the stir recently.</p><p>However, the forest department has strongly objected to it saying that 26 kilometres of the stretch passes through thick forests with an elephant corridor.</p><p>Kochi-based Animals and Nature Ethic Committee (ANEC) has now sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They said that the demand to reopen the road passing through the forest was being raised at a time when the state was lamenting over the frequent man-animal conflicts. They also alleged that the interest of tourism industry and real estate lobbies were behind the ongoing stir. </p><p>Even Kerala tourism minister Mohammed Riyas had earlier stated in the assembly that reopening of the road could be a boost to the tourism sector.</p><p>ANEC said that the demand to reopen the road could trigger man-animal conflicts.</p><p>"The loss of lives of wild endangered animals is alarmingly high. From 2016 to 2023, the state lost as many as 763 wild elephants, while the total number of wild elephants in the state is around 1,800. Similarly over 50 tigers were lost between 2016 and 2024 while the total number now is only around 180," ANEC said in a statement.</p><p>The old Aluva-Munnar road was believed to have existed since 1200 as a pathway used by traders. It was further developed and made motorable during the late 1800s. After the road was badly damaged in the 1924 floods, an alternate road was developed - the present highway connecting Kochi and Munnar.</p>