Sabarimala Greenfield Airport: Environmental and Social Impact Revealed, 3.4 Lakh Trees to Be Felled, 352 Families to Be Displaced
Over 3.4 Lakh Trees to be Felled for Sabarimala Greenfield Airport; 352 Families to be Rehabilitated, Reports SIA Study
A social impact assessment (SIA) study, recently released by the Kottayam district administration, has revealed that the construction of the Sabarimala Greenfield International Airport will result in the felling of over 3.4 lakh trees and the displacement of 352 families. The project, located in Manimala and Erumeli South villages, will require the acquisition of 1039.876 hectares of land.
The environmental impact of the proposed airport is significant, with a total of 3.3 lakh rubber trees, alongside 2,492 teak trees, 2,247 wild jack trees, 1,131 jackfruit trees, 828 mahogany trees, and 184 mango trees, earmarked for removal.
In addition to the deforestation, the development will lead to the displacement of several religious institutions, including St. Thomas Ecumenical Church, Hidayuthul Islam Juma Masjid, Sree Amman Kovil, Sree Poovanpalamala Temple, St. Gregorious Church, St. Joseph’s Church Karithode, and Panchatheertha Parasakthi Devasthanam, which will need to be relocated as part of the project.
The SIA report also outlines the direct social impact, noting that 347 families will be adversely affected by the development. Specifically, 238 families, whose livelihoods are tied to the Cheruvally Estate, will lose their homes and source of income. Additionally, the report highlights concerns regarding the displacement of a Cheruvally cow, an important income source for estate workers, and the potential disruption to the local ecological system.
The project, spearheaded by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), aims to enhance accessibility for Sabarimala pilgrims, non-resident Indians (NRIs), and tourists. It is expected to significantly improve connectivity to important pilgrimage destinations across central Travancore, including the Erumeli Peeta Sastha, Maramon Convention, and Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple. Additionally, the airport will open up easier access to key tourist spots like Kumarakom’s backwaters, the hill stations of Munnar, the Gavi Forest, Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar Tiger Reserve, and the Idukki Dam, boosting the local economy and tourism sector.
The project, while offering significant development potential for the region, faces ongoing scrutiny due to its potential environmental and social consequences.
