Illegal roadside shops in Munnar cause traffic jams and wildlife conflicts

Unauthorised roadside shops in Munnar are obstructing pedestrians and causing long traffic jams, while also contributing to increasing human-wildlife conflicts in the area.

Last week, roadside shops were removed from RO Junction in Munnar for highway development, but vendors claimed they were quickly relocated to the Munnar-Bodimettu National Highway bypass walkway, which is illegal.

C.K. Babulal, president of the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasi Ekopana Samity (KVVES) Munnar unit, stated that roadside stalls are strictly prohibited on National Highways. “In Munnar, shops on pavements and narrow streets create gridlock as tourist vehicles stop in front of them. These shops were set up with political support, and the merchants’ association is awaiting a panchayat decision on their removal,” said Mr. Babulal.

Sources claim that waste dumped by vendors attracts wild animals, including wild elephants. In October 2024, former Munnar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) submitted a letter to the Idukki District Collector stating that 387 unauthorised shops were operating in Munnar, creating hotspots for human-animal conflict. However, the Forest department has reportedly taken no action so far to prevent the mushrooming of illegal shops or the roadside dumping of waste.

Munnar Range Officer S. Biju clarified that the department is not opposed to the shops. “Most of these shops sell food and dump waste in the vicinity. Due to the absence of adequate waste disposal measures, wildlife is attracted to the town. Our request is that these shops ensure waste is removed on the same day,” Mr. Biju said.

“Most of these shops are fixed directly in elephant corridors, causing a disturbance to the animals. This results in the elephants destroying the shops as they attempt to pass through,” R. Mohan, president of the Munnar Environment and Wildlife Society (MEWS), said.