Thodupuzha: The Forest Department finds itself in troubled waters after the Tahsildar’s investigation into the controversial removal of a cross in the Naranganam area of Thommankuthu, linked to the St. Thomas parish, contradicted its claims. The report, submitted by Thodupuzha Tahsildar O.S. Jayakumar, affirms that the land where the cross stood is indeed a residential zone, not forest land as previously stated by the Forest Department.

The issue had triggered protests and political backlash, prompting local leaders and residents to submit a formal complaint to the Chief Minister. Responding to the outcry, the District Collector directed an inquiry, leading to the recent hearing at the Collectorate. Ahead of the hearing, the Tahsildar conducted a site visit and gathered testimony from local residents, which played a key role in shaping the final assessment.

According to the Tahsildar's findings, the disputed land lies outside the boundaries of the designated forest area (locally known as the 'Janda'). The report also emphasized the presence of long-standing fruit-bearing trees and residential dwellings in the area, reinforcing the argument that it has been inhabited and cultivated for decades.

This directly challenges an earlier report submitted by the village officer, which claimed that the 4.005-acre plot in Vannappuram village was officially classified as forest land. In contrast, the Tahsildar's findings suggest otherwise, effectively weakening the Forest Department’s stance.

Despite the setback, Forest Department officials maintained their position during the hearing, insisting that the land in question falls under their jurisdiction. However, in light of the conflicting reports, Deputy Collector K.M. Josukutty has called for a joint inspection by both the Revenue and Forest Departments to accurately delineate the land.

The joint inspection aims to resolve the dispute conclusively. Once the inspection is complete, a final report will be submitted to the District Collector for further action. Until then, the status of the land remains under scrutiny, but the Tahsildar’s report has certainly tipped the scales in favor of the local residents and the parish community.