Vilangad is a small town, north-east of Calicut district bordering with Wayanad and Kannur. There have been a demand for a road , from here to Kunjom in Wayanad district for a few decades. The geography of the region, across the road is to be constructed and the presence of dense and rich rain forest . Recently a wing of merchants, religious leaders, local politicians a section of people have intensified the pressure for the road. They organized a march to the forest to bring the political attention on the issue and give it a colour of public interest. The timely action from the governments departments , especially police and forest, could stop march from entering into the forest and protect it from the damages could caused by it. At this critical point of time, this letter is prepared to take your attention on the importance of the issue.

Kunjom is a small town having a few shops. Whereas the status of Vilangad is also not different. Though people have been inhabiting to these places for decades, there were no need to meet them each other for any exchange in connection with their daily life. Therefore it is not the public interest which pressurise the demand, but business as well as commercial. The kuttiyadi- Mananthavady highway, which connects these two places, is not far distant from these places. But the supporters of the road say that the new road can boost the business at nadapuram town.

The proposed forest area is at Panoth area of Perya forest range, under North Wayanad forest division. 3000 hectors(ha) of total 3500 ha of panoth Forest area comes under Kunjom Adivasi Vana Samrakshana Samith (AVSS ) as part of Participatory Forest Management (PFM) programme. Collection of Non-Timber Forest Products gets employment to the tribal people of the area. In addition to this 1000 ha of this has been preserved as Gene Pool Conservation Area (GPCA). Even, minor human presence cannot be allowed here.

This is one of the catchment areas of rivers such as Maiazhi Puzha, Anjarakandi puzha. Kutttiyadi puzha and kabanmi. The proposed road of 7 km long, excluding seven hair pin curves, crosses 15 streams including ten perennial streams.

The supporters of the road call it parallel to Kuttyadi mananthavady highway. The proposed road is at one of the lowest valleys in the region. This valley acts as the gateway of rain clouds to north Wayanad. This gateway traps rain clouds to 10 panchayaths including drought prone Pulpally and Mullankolly panchayaths. Any restructuring to this ecologically sensitive zone can leave harmful impacts on the climate and ecological equation of the region. Being less rooted in the soil, trees in the rain forests can be fallen down and made it an open place by wind passes through narrow gapes. Then think of the impacts of a road like this.

The stone mining, felling of trees and other construction activities followed by the road will poison the quality of the water in the rivers born from here. One day the free flow of crystal clean water in these rivers will turn to muddy and dirty. It will also lead soil erosion. Any threat to the free flow of the water will be resulted in land slip and other natural hazards. The blasting works in connection with road construction will accelerate it.

The proposed project area is rich in fauna allowing free growth of trees like Malampunna, Churuli, irrumbakam, Cheeni, vellapine and hundreds of others. Any attempt to kill this zone is a crime to living as well as coming generations. A civic society cannot do this. The cost of natural hazards followed by the blind human development is visible across the globe.

The road will cut he elephant corridors and affect the free north-south travel of elephants. It will intensify man animal conflict in the region. Forest will fail to do its duties if it fragmented in to patches.

Bio-diversity of the area

The area belongs to most richest ecological zones in the Western Ghats. 37 of the total 97 mammals in Kerala forest can be seen here. Many of then cannot be found places other than in Western Ghats. The area is one of the few existing habitats of Nilgiri Martin n endemic species. A tree climber, belong to the family if of otter, martin called as Thenkollan among local people. Studies of wild life Trust of India (WLTI) says that there is a possibility to find Malabar Civet , considered as an extinct species here. Malabar Civent was last found in 1992 in the forests of Malapuram. Researchers could found Lion Tailed Macaques here. 136 of the total 483 birds species can be seen here. Recently nesting of Silon Frog Mouth is registered here. It is rare in kerala. 11 species of snakes also inhabiting here. The presence of rare snake called Yellow Srtiped Shiled Tail makes Perya forest much more important.

Richness of the butterflies is the symbol of the fertility and diversity of a forest. 109 of he 313 varieties of butterflies in Kerala can be sees here. The zone is also rich in the diversity of reptiles, amphibians and other small beings. But studies are insufficient to bring details about it. The proposed road will be built at the cost of this rich natural diversity.

Why they shout for the road

Kerala vyapari vyavasai ekopana samitry came up with a claim that they are willing to bear 25% of the total expense of the road. Their visible interest is to make profit. The real estate mafia and tourism lobby extended their support to the demand. Road can fetch better price to real estate mafia and better earning to tourism promoters. It will also enhance the exploitation of remaining forest and smuggling of rare plants, insets and butterflies.

As a man/woman who can understand the damages of the road, your timely action is needed. Let us join our hands together.

[This document is prepared by a handful of nature lovers in Wayanad.Also appreciate the field experience of Mr. Arun P.A.on this issue. You can contact him at : arunpa@email.com ]