Provide Basic Facilities Like Food, Drinking Water & Medical Treatment To Flood Affected Tribal Families: Kerala HC Directs State Govt

The Kerala High Court directed the State Authorities to provide basic facilities including food, drinking water and medical treatment to the tribal families in Pothugal, Vazhikadavu and Karulai Villages in Nilambur Taluk, which were severely affected by the Floods that occurred in 2018 and 2019. 

The Bench headed by Chief Justice A.J. Desai and also comprising Justice V.G. Arun observed, “In the meanwhile, the state authorities are hereby directed to provide basic facilities like food, drinking water and medical treatment to the tribal families”.

Advocate Peeyus A. Kottam appeared on behalf of the Petitioner.

In this case, the Petitioner contended that around 300 tribal families live in the area and are severely affected by the flooding that occurred in 2018 and 2019. The families are in pathetic living conditions as their houses have become inhabitable and have lost accessibility to the mainland causing a shortage of basic necessities. As a result, the Tribal Families have sought refuge deep in the jungle living in sheds covered in plastic sheets.

The Petitioner sought directions against the Kerala Legal Service Authority, which is acting as a Tribal monitoring committee, to conduct a thorough inspection of the tribal Colonies.

The Order read, “Writ petition (civil) praying inter alia that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed along with the WP(C) the High Court be pleased to direct the 16th respondent acting as Tribal monitoring committee to inspect the tribal colonies in Pothugal Grama Panchayat, Vazhikadavu Grama Panchayat and Karulai Grama Panchayath in Nilambur Taluk tribal and report the pathetic living condition of tribal families in sheds covered with plastic sheets in the deep forest and imminent danger being faced by these families and lack of connectivity with the main land in the absence of Iruttukutty Concrete bridge constructed across the chaliyarPuzha and Punjakolli Iron Bridge constructed across the puhnapuzha river which were washed away during the flood in the year 2018 and 2019 and to submit the report before this Hon’ble Court during the pendency of the writ petition”.

Accordingly, the Court directed the State authorities to provide basic facilities and listed the matter for August 8.

Cause Title: Aryadan Shouketh v. Union of India

Click here to read/download the Order