The Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) in Idukki has restricted construction permits in 13 panchayats. A letter from the LSGD Joint Director dated February 6, 2026, orders that no permit shall be issued without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Revenue Department. The affected panchayats are Chinnakkanal, Munnar, Pallivasal, Vellathooval, Devikulam, Bison Valley, Santhanpara, Udumbanchola, Mankulam, Marayur, Kanthallur, Edamalakkudy, and Vattavada. The letter stresses, “Based on the High Court order of January 21, 2010, a Revenue Department NOC is mandatory for construction activities in eight villages across Devikulam and Udumbanchola (including Chinnakkanal village). Any permissions without NOC already issued must be verified and halted immediately. Officials must ensure no further construction is permitted without a prior NOC.” Panchayat secretaries are directed to check ongoing construction and report actions to the Joint Director. “The details can be provided to the government and the High Court,” the letter states. This order covers all construction types: temporary sheds, permanent houses, commercial buildings, and LIFE Mission Project structures—even those on panchayat-owned land. This follows a July 2023 order by the Idukki Collector, backed by a Kerala High Court directive from a case filed by an NGO. The restrictions were confirmed in July 2024 by former Collector Sheeba George under the District Disaster Management Authority Act, after a scientific study declared these zones as “red zones.” A source said, “Based on this order, even LIFE Mission homes and temporary sheds require an NOC.” The new letter means panchayats cannot issue construction permits without the Revenue Department’s clearance.