MULLAPERIYAR: Collin Westermann Taylor 1894, Harry Scott Taylor 1891, Tom Roger King 1896... read the inscriptions in a shrubbery cemetery by the Mullaperiyar dam. Contained within the pages of some forgotten history, these names stand mute witness to the controversies now racking the dam.The locals and the forest officials pay respect to these mavericks by lighting candles every night. They believe that these were some of the whites who had constructed the dam more than a century ago. But owing to the adverse atmospheric conditions and the onset of epidemics like cholera, many died in the area without being able to return to their homelands. Some were killed in an accident during the construction of the dam, local stories say. To honour them, special prayers are conducted every year and the cemetery cleaned once a month. The catch of the tombs is that these have been made out of single piece stones and railing used for construction of the dams. But officials say that the history of the unknown cemetery is yet to be penned down properly. According to Soman, Forest Range Officer, Valakadavu, “These are some people who had sacrificed their life for the dam, along with the natives of the land. The construction of the dam was not an easy task during those days, mainly because transporting construction materials was a major task then. Limestones weighing 75,000 tonnes had to be brought here for the construction.”“Some were transported through a wire ropeway from Gudalur hills to Thekkady and then by bullock carts into the forest. The other alternative route was through a ropeway linking the dam site itself. Also, the Mulliya Panjan channel that flows into the Periyar was used for transporting some of the materials,” Soman said.Besides, endemic diseases like cholera, malaria and typhoid were some of the grave dangers faced by construction engineers and workers during those times. Hundreds died of diseases and accidents during the construction work. After signing a deed with the Maharaja of Travancore on October 29, 1886, the construction of the dam began in 1887. But in 1888, the work was halted as many people died due to the hardships of living and working in the midst of the forest. Later, Major John Pennycuick took up the responsibility and the dam work restarted in 1889.Engineer John Pennycuick is still venerated by many in Tamil Nadu. “Major John Pennycuick’s portrait can be spotted on the walls of homes and small shops in Madurai region. He is venerated as a god by people residing on the other side of the border,” Soman added.
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