Adoor Residents to March Against Hill Demolition, Demand Urgent Action from Authorities

Pathanamthitta, Kerala – In a powerful display of resistance, local residents in Adoor Taluk took to the streets on February 25th, 2025, with a torch-lit procession to protest the ongoing destruction of hills in their region. The rally, centered around the Cheeramkunnu hill in Ezhankulam Panchayat, was organized by the Thoduvakkad Ward Hill Protection Committee.

The protest aimed to resist the unchecked actions of the soil mafia, whose activities threaten the natural heritage of the region, including the hills of Teppupara. The protest, which saw a large gathering of locals, was inaugurated by Fr. Rajan Mathew, the vicar of St. Mary's Orthodox Church in Thoduvakkad, who lit the inaugural lamp. The event was presided over by District Panchayat President K. V. Nair, with speeches from several residents and local leaders, including Viju Radhakrishnan, Shanthi K. Kuttan, Rajitha Jaison, S.C. Bose, Mohanan Nair, K. Prasannakumar, Ar. Kamalasan, E. A. Rahim, Shaiju Ismail, James Kakkattuvila, Sasi, Prince Vilavinal, Rajesh, Johnykutty, and Prakash Abraham.

This march comes ahead of another planned demonstration set for February 28th, when residents will march toward the Mining and Geology Office in Adoor to demand immediate intervention and halt the ongoing hill demolition activities in the region. The protests are growing in intensity as the community rallies to protect the environment, their livelihoods, and their safety.

The residents’ concerns revolve around the unchecked demolition of hills, particularly Cheeramkunnu Hill, located in Ezhamkulam Panchayat. Spanning approximately 64 acres, this hill is a critical part of the local ecosystem. It supports rubber plantations and is the source of an important water spring that feeds streams across Kodumon Panchayat. The demolition of the hill, especially the 24 acres behind the Theppupara Post Office, threatens the delicate balance of the environment, raising alarm about landslides and the long-term consequences for local communities.

( Torch-lit procession to protest the ongoing destruction of hills organised by the local residents on February 25, 2025)

The situation is compounded by the vulnerability of the area to natural disasters. Velamurup Hill, another site targeted for demolition, is located in Theppupara Thottamuk and has been identified by the district administration as a disaster-prone zone. Despite these concerns, the Mining and Geology Department continues to issue permits for these activities without conducting environmental or geological studies.

In 2023, the local community united in a massive protest against the soil mafia, calling attention to the risks posed by unchecked hill leveling. However, with little action from authorities, the situation has only worsened, with plans now underway to level a 17-acre hill opposite Theppupara S.N.I.T. Engineering College in Angadikal village.

In response to these ongoing concerns, local residents have submitted a petition to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, calling for an immediate halt to all hill demolition activities until a comprehensive environmental impact study is conducted. They argue that the destruction of these hills not only disrupts the local ecosystem but also poses significant risks to the safety and well-being of those living nearby.

The petition also highlights the critical role these hills play in maintaining the region’s natural heritage and supporting the livelihoods of local residents. The ongoing destruction, they argue, is a grave threat to the long-term sustainability of the area.

As the residents continue their fight to preserve the natural beauty and safety of Adoor Taluk, all eyes are now on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to see how it will respond to this urgent plea for intervention.