60 Tribal Families in Parambikulam: Still Waiting for a Place to Call Home

In the heart of Kerala’s lush Parambikulam forests, a quiet crisis continues to unfold. For 60 tribal families, the promise of permanent housing a basic human right—remains unfulfilled, tangled in the web of bureaucratic delays and official indifference. While government slogans urge compassion and humanity in every file handled, the reality in these remote hamlets tells a different story.

In Uravanpadi, 30 houses were fully built in 2023 but remain locked and unused—all because house numbers haven’t been assigned yet. This small delay has left families stuck without proper homes.

Meanwhile, 30 more houses in areas like Sungam, Earth Dam, Thekkady, and Poopara have been stuck in the final stages of construction since 2019. No department is giving clear answers, and no one is taking responsibility for the delay. These revelations came to light during a review meeting held by the Kerala Legislative Assembly’s Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Welfare Committee. Kadakampally Surendran, MLA and a former minister, did not mince words: “This is just criminal negligence.” His frustration echoed the anger and despair of the affected families, who have been denied not only homes but also access to essential services and basic dignity. When officials promised to resolve the issues “tomorrow,” Surendran pointedly reminded them that these promises have been made and broken for six years.

The issues go beyond housing. Tribal residents have long complained about the lack of basic services like electricity, education, and government support. Departments such as the village office, KSEB, and the education department have failed to respond—none of them, except the panchayat, even showed up for a review meeting.The committee, led by Kongad MLA Santhakumari K, has taken this seriously. Officials have been warned and told to finish assigning house numbers by June 15 and submit a full report.

The situation in Parambikulam shows that promises and policies don’t matter if there’s no action or accountability. For the 60 tribal families still waiting for homes, every delay means losing their right to safety and dignity. With the June 15 deadline coming up, everyone will watch closely to see if the authorities keep their promises or if these families are left waiting in the forests of Kerala.