Residents of Kanamalai, a remote tribal village atop Jawadhu Hills, have been protesting against a delay in formation of a proposed forest road in the hills.
The Kanamalai village panchayat comprises 32 small tribal hamlets, including Ezhuthampattu, Neepathurai, and Arasanoor in the hills. It is among 11 village panchayats of Jamanamarathur Panchayat Union. “The new stretch has been a long-standing demand of the tribals. Sick people, including children, have to be taken to Kalasamudram, around 10 km away where a government health centre is available,” said A. Munusamy.
Around 3,000 persons reside in the village, with women heading most families. The village only had a government primary school. For higher classes, students had to trek 12 km to Ananthapuram village on the plains. The village health nurse hardly visits the hamlets due to inaccessible terrain. Pregnant mothers had to be carried by able men to the hospital in Padavedu village, the villagers said.
Farmers cultivate mostly millets, vegetables, and greens. Honey collection was also a major occupation. Farm produce was carried on foot to sell them in local markets in Polur, Arani, and Kalasapakkam towns. Fair price shops exist in the village but during monsoon, rations could not be transported due to a steep slushy terrain.
Forest officials said the proposed forest road between Padavedu and Shenbagathoppu villages, a distance of 6.7 km, in the hills at a cost of ₹4.11 crore was approved by the State government in 2025. “The new stretch will come at least 500 metres away from Santhavasal reserve forest to connect tribal hamlets,” S. Murugan, Forest Range Officer, Santhavasal range (Tiruvannamalai), told The Hindu.
The proposed road would be 3.75-metre-wide with paved shoulders. Three causeways and culverts would also be built to prevent inundation and damage of the carriageway during monsoon. Side walls would be built on four hairpin bends in the hills.
Forest officials said that after 2026 Assembly elections, the proposal for the new stretch was re-sent to the State government for its nod. However, the project is still awaiting approval. The District Collector and District Forest Officer were apprised about the urgency to lay the new stretch for tribals, they said.