The Kerala Hydel Tourism Center (KHTC), the hydel tourism wing under Kerala State Electricity Board, has submitted an affidavit dismissing the finding that the Anayirankal dam is situated in the middle of a forest area.
The hydel tourism wing stopped operating boats in the dam on July 14 based on a directive of the Kerala High Court (HC). The HC-appointed expert panel committee recommended that boating caused disturbances to wild elephants. According to officials, the court will consider the case on Monday.
In the affidavit, the KHTC director Narendra Nath Veluri stated that he had practical experience of almost eight years in the field dealing with human-elephant conflict as a Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in North Wayanad Division. “Anayirankal boating area is located adjacent to the residential areas called ‘Layam’ or cluster homes. Buses, Jeeps and many other vehicles pass through the area. The Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway (NH) is at a distance of 600 meters from the Anayirankal tourism centre,” said the affidavit.
