Amid the scorching summer heat, a pristine shola forest nestled within the district plays a vital role in ensuring adequate water supply to numerous wards, including tribal settlements, in Idukki district. Spanning an impressive 12.82 sq km, the Mathikettan Shola National Park, a lush rainforest, serves as the primary water source for Santhanpara grama panchayat near Munnar.
Liju Varghese, president of the panchayat, highlights the crucial role of the Mathikettan Shola in securing water for seven wards of the panchayat.
“Close to 7,000 families rely on the water sourced from the shola, delivered directly through a network of hoses. Remarkably, the water requires no additional purification before reaching the households, ensuring its pristine quality. Thanks to the presence of the Mathikettan Shola, our panchayat has been spared from significant drought-related challenges,” Mr. Varghese says.
S.P. Venkidachalam, a member of the tribal community residing in Aduvilanthankudi, attests to the significance of the shola as a lifeline for the settlement. “A hose connection linking us directly to the shola guarantees water security for our 55 families throughout the year,” he says.
Jomy Augustine, a botanist and former Professor at St. Thomas College, Pala, offers valuable insights into the ecological importance of the Mathikettan Shola. The shola represents the original Cardamom Hills Reserve (CHR), showcasing the rich biodiversity predating the era of extensive plantations. “The shola’s diverse array of flora, including rare trees, orchids, and Strobilanthes, underscores its pristine nature,” says Dr. Augustine.
Dr. Augustine underscores the critical role of soil microorganisms in enhancing water retention, highlighting the importance of preserving biodiversity for sustainable agricultural practices in the CHR.
Water sources
Official sources confirm that the original forests within the CHR serve as perennial water sources for several tributaries of the Panniyar river, including the Uchilikuthipuzha, Mathikettanpuzha, and Njandar, ensuring adequate water supply for agricultural and domestic purposes in the Santhanpara and Pooppara regions.
The Mathikettan Shola gained prominence due to reports of extensive encroachment in the area. V.S. Achuthanandan, the then Leader of the Opposition, intervened, leading to the eviction of encroachers and the declaration of the Mathikettan Shola as a national park by the State government on November 21, 2003.
However, the recent acquittal of 13 forest and revenue officials by the Muvattupuzha Vigilance court, after a lengthy legal battle spanning 23 years, in the Mathikettan Shola encroachment case provided a delayed justice.
Mary Francis, the wife of former Devikulam range officer V.K. Francis, expresses disappointment over the delayed justice. “Our family endured numerous hardships in safeguarding the biodiversity hotspot from encroachers. Mr. Francis’s dedication, along with that of other officials, led to the establishment of the Mathikettan Shola National Park. Regrettably, the Forest department and the State government have failed to acknowledge their tireless efforts,” she says.
