Kochi, October 2026: The Kerala High Court has proposed forming a Special Task Force to address government land encroachment in Munnar, Vagamon, and surrounding areas, focusing on implementing recommendations from earlier committee reports.

The proposed task force is expected to involve officials from the Revenue Department, Police and other relevant government agencies. The initiative aims to improve coordination among departments and strengthen action on longstanding land disputes and alleged encroachments in these ecologically sensitive hill destinations.

Land-related cases in the Munnar region have been under judicial consideration for several years, involving concerns about government land, irregular land assignments and unauthorised activities. Vagamon has also faced legal proceedings over disputed land.

The proposed mechanism is intended to help authorities follow up on existing findings and recommendations and ensure more coordinated administrative action. However, the specific composition, powers and implementation arrangements of the task force will depend on further proceedings and official decisions.

The court's intervention highlights the continuing importance of transparent land administration and effective enforcement in Kerala's popular hill tourism destinations, where land use and development need to be managed alongside environmental protection.