Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Probe into clearing of undergrowth of Kallar forests

Special Correspondent

Forest Minister asks official in charge of social forestry to look into the matter

UNDER THREAT: Forests cleared of undergrowth near Kallar in Thiruvananthapuram district.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Forest Minister Benoy Viswom has asked the Chief Conservators of Forests in charge of social forestry and protection to inquire into the clearing of undergrowth of rich forests around Kallar in Thiruvananthapuram district. The Minister issued the orders on the basis of the report that appeared in The Hindu on Monday, an official spokesman said.

The Department had cleared the undergrowth in these low-lying forest areas for planting seedlings of various indigenous species.

However, there was no justification for such an operation when the undergrowth was known for their biodiversity.

Planting operations over the years had been actually leading to the degradation of quality forests in places such as Kallar and Guderickal. Though the Department would examine why the areas were selected for planting and the motives behind it, planting of degraded forests still remained the policy of the Government.

As most of Kerala is high rainfall area, degraded forests would grow back naturally if they were protected from biotic interferences including fires caused by humans.

The issue may come up for discussions during the finalisation of the proposed environmental policy of the Government.

Large sums are now being wasted under the Social Forestry Programme for planting trees in areas where plants would grow naturally.

Several environmental groups are now demanding that social forestry be confined to non-forest areas. There is also need to clear wattle and other plantations from ecologically sensitive areas.

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