The Hindu : Forest dept. dossier contradicts panel findings

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 30, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Forest dept. dossier contradicts panel findings

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM JUNE 29. The Forest Department has prepared a dossier contradicting a few of the findings and recommendations of the N. Chandrasekharan Nair Commission that inquired into the encroachments at Mathikettan forests in Idukki district.

This, prepared by a three-member cell working on the issue, would come before the Cabinet at its next meeting.

The department challenges the finding of the Commission that the local forest officials could not be absolved of responsibility for the destruction of trees and widening of the road to Mathikettan. It stresses that the cultivation of cardamom is not a forestry activity, and the Revenue Department cannot be regularising cardamom cultivation on encroached land.

Detailed notes have been prepared on the strategy for future management of the Cardamom Hill Reserve (CHR).

The Additional Chief Secretary, Chandrasekharan Nair, inquired into the encroachments on a directive from the Cabinet. Though the Forest Secretary, E. K. Bharat Bhushan, and the Revenue Secretary, Sajan Peter, have also been deputed to Mathikettan with Mr. Nair, their role, contrary to the impression given, was confined to carrying out the evictions.

The officials found that the land in question came to about 5,900 acres. The survey records of 1976 showed that there were no occupants on the land then. So, none of the encroachments were pre-1977. Though the Revenue Minister, K. M. Mani, had announced that he was willing to transfer part of these lands to the Forest Department, this is yet to be done. The Forest Department demands survey and fixing the boundaries and cancellation of the leases.

Though the Cabinet considered the report of Mr. Nair last Wednesday, no decisions were taken, as the Ministers needed time to study it. The discussions next week would cover the response from the Forest Department.

The Department notes that though Mathikettan area is under dual control, the Revenue Department has sweeping powers under the Cardamom Rules for assigning land on lease and granting permission for the cutting of trees. So, the control over trees entrusted to the Forest Department cannot be implemented.

The Rules say that the land in possession of the encroachers, if cultivated with cardamom, may be leased to them for 20 years. If any tree or undergrowth is cut in contravention of the Rules, the lessee shall be liable to pay compensation.

The Revenue Department is maintaining control over the entire land falling in CHR. The responsibility of detecting illicit removal of trees and evicting of encroachments is vested in the Department. Hence, action against forest officials would not be justified.

There are differing official versions as to whether Mr. Nair has said in his report that cardamom cultivation is a permissible forestry activity. Forest Department sources said that Mr. Nair had made such a conclusion. However, cultivation of spices is a non-forestry activity according to the Forest (Conservation) Act. Besides, the Central Government's permission is required for any assignment of forests to private persons.

The Department feels that Cardamom Rules are completely out of date, and hence, should be kept in abeyance in forest areas. Any assignment, lease or alienation of land in CHR areas after the enactment of the Forest (Conservation) Act in 1980 without clearance from the Centre is null and void.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Forest dept. dossier contradicts panel findings

Feathered friends

Surya TV sends petitions to President and Sonia

Forest Department for destroying cardamom

Passengers taken for a ride

New train to be flagged off today