National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled Protest Brews In Kerala ... vs Principal Chief Conservator Of Forests ... on 28 January, 2025
Author: Satyagopal Korlapati
Bench: Satyagopal Korlapati
Item No. 10
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI
Tuesday the 28th day of January, 2025.
Original Application No. 230 of 2024 (SZ)
&
Original Application No.231 of 2024(SZ)
(Through Video Conference)
IN THE MATTER OF
Suo Motu,
Based on the news item appeared in The New Indian Express,
dated 22.05.2024 titled, "State paying heavy price for forest
department's blunders".
...Applicant(s)
Versus
1. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,
Through Regional Office,
Deputy Directore General of Forests (C),
Integrated Regional Office, Kendriya Sadan,
4th Floor, E&F wings, 17th main road,
Koramangala II Block,
Bangalore- 560034.
2. Principal Chief Conservator of forest & head of forest force,
Nandavanam, Vazhuthacaud,
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala-695 014.
3. District Magistrate, Wayanad,
Collectorate Wayanad, North Kalpetta,
P.O. Wayanad, District,
Wayanad- 673 122.
4. District Magistrate, Idduki,
Civil Station Idduki,
Kuyilimala,
Painavu- 685 603.
...Respondent(s)
With
Suo Motu,
Based on the news item appeared in The Deccan Heralad,
dated 20.05.2024 titled, "Protest brews in Kerala over
allowing eucalyptus plantations in forest areas of state".
...Applicant(s)
Versus
1. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Kerala,
Forest Headquarters, Vazhuthacaud,
1
Thiruvananthapuram- 695 014.
2. Ministry of Environemtn, Forest and Cliamte Change,
Integrated Regional Office,
Kendriya sadan, 4th Floor, E&F Wings,
17th Main Road, Koramangala II Block,
Bangalore- 560034.
3. Kerala Forest Development Corporation,
Rep by its Chief Conservator of Forests and Managing Director,
"Aranyakom" Kottayam, Thiruvarppu road,
Karapuzha, Kerala- 686003.
4. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)
and Chief Wildlife Warden-
Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department,
Forest Headquarters,
Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram- 695 104.
...Respondent(s)
O.A. No. 230 of 2024(SZ)
For Applicant(s): Suo Motu
For Respondent(s): Dr. Kuna Suryanaryana for R1.
Mr. E.K. Kumaresan for R2 to R4.
O.A. No. 231 of 2024(SZ)
For Applicant(s): Suo Motu
For Respondent(s): Mr. E.K. Kumaresan for R1, R3 & R4.
Mr. G. M. Syed Nurullah Sheriff for R2.
Date of Hearing: 28th January, 2025.
CORAM:
HON'BLE SMT. JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE DR. SATYAGOPAL KORLAPATI, EXPERT MEMBER
JUDGMENT
Delivered by Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, Judicial Member
1. The above cases have been Suo Motu registered by the Principal Bench as O.A. No. 774 of 2024 (PB) and O.A. No. 728 of 2024 (PB) based on the news item published in The New Indian Express dated 22.05.2024 titled "State paying heavy price for forest 2 department's blunders" and The Deccan herald dated 20.05.2024 titled "Protest brews in Kerala over allowing eucalyptus plantations in forest areas of state" which were transferred to this Bench and re-numbered as O.A. No. 230 of 2024(SZ) and O.A. No. 231 of 2024(SZ) respectively. O.A. No. 230 of 2024
2. The matter pertains to the role of the Kerala Forest Department in the degradation of Kerala's forests over the past several decades. The issue came to light when the Forest Department cancelled an order by the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) to replant exotic pulpwood species, particularly eucalyptus, in its plantations.
3. According to the article, the Kerala Forest Department manages 33 tree species across 1,56,204 hectares. In 2017, the department pledged to eradicate invasive species and plants by 2032, but progress has been slow. Farmers residing in forest fringe areas also claim that the Forest Department's mono-crop plantations have contributed significantly to forest degradation. The article further notes that invasive species such as Senna spectabilis, Hypoestes phyllostachya, Maesopsis eminii, Mikania micrantha, Lantana camara, Eupatorium cannabinum, Siam weed, and 'communist pacha' have led to the destruction of animal habitats, caused food and water shortages within forests, and pushed herbivores and carnivores into farmlands and human settlements.
4. Environmentalists advocate for the conversion of exotic species plantations into natural forests. They also allege that the Kerala Forest 3 Department's decade-old soft sandalwood planting initiative has had detrimental effects. The department had created a Grassland Afforestation Division at the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the 1980s and employed an assistant conservator to plant acacia in 50 square kilometers of grasslands, despite their ecological and wildlife importance. Eucalyptus was eventually cut down after several decades, following the realization of its harmful effects. Wattle planting in Munnar's shola forests is another example of poor judgment. Similar missteps have occurred in Wayanad, where such species have spread across 33% of the sanctuary. One senior officer reported that 2000 hectares of Senna had been removed from the Wayanad forest, and in 2021, an eco-restoration program successfully eradicated 27,000 hectares of monocultures and 7,000 hectares of invasive species. They stressed the need for support from NABARD to further the efforts to eradicate invasive species. O.A. No. 231 of 2024
5. The matter pertains to the growing protests in Kerala over the state forest department's recent decision to allow the planting of eucalyptus trees in the reserve forest areas. According to the article, the state forest department granted approval to the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC), a state public sector undertaking, to plant eucalyptus saplings in its forest plantations.
6. The article highlights that this decision contradicts both previous state and central government policies, which have consistently opposed the planting of exotic species in forests due to the negative impact on the natural ecology. Eucalyptus trees, in particular, are known for their high-water consumption, which poses a significant threat to the delicate balance of forest ecosystems. The destruction of natural forest ecology, driven in 4 part by the introduction of exotic trees, is also cited as one of the key factors contributing to the escalating man-animal conflict in the region.
7. Since, the issues highlighted in the aforementioned news items are similar in nature, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests filed a common report dated 04.01.2025 for both the matters.
8. The report states that the Kerala Forest Department planted exotic species such as Eucalyptus, Acacia, and Wattle for industrial purposes during the 1960s, aiming to meet the demands of the industries at that time. Currently, the extent of these plantations in Kerala's forests includes 7622.0410 hectares of Acacia auriculiformis, 2291.417 hectares of Acacia mangium, 6780.230 hectares of Eucalyptus, and 1758.210 hectares of Wattle. However, with evolving forest management practices, the Department has decided to phase out these exotic monoculture plantations due to their ecological incompatibility. No new exotic species are being planted in Kerala's forests. The planting of Wattle was discontinued in 1992, Acacia auriculiformis and Acacia mangium in 2018, and Eucalyptus in 2019.
9. A comprehensive eco-restoration plan has been developed to revert the Eucalyptus, Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia mangium, and Wattle plantations to their natural state, or to replant these areas with indigenous species. As per G.O. Ms. No. 29 of 2021, dated 17.12.2021, the Government of Kerala has approved an Eco- restoration Policy, which targets the phased removal of these exotic monoculture plantations and their subsequent restoration to 5 a natural or indigenous state. This policy outlines the eradication of the exotic species and the eco-restoration of these areas.
10. Since the adoption of this policy, 5585.57 hectares of exotic plantations have been treated for removal from Kerala's forests, and 1346.54 hectares have been replanted with indigenous species, starting from 2022. The report also provides details on the specific areas where exotic plantations have been treated for removal and indigenous species have been planted, as well as those areas where the eradication of exotic plantations is still in progress.
11. In addition, specific management protocols developed by the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) are being implemented to control the spread of the invasive alien species, Senna spectabilis, in the protected and reserved forests of Wayanad. These protocols focus on preventing further reproduction by halting flowering and fruiting. To date, 77 hectares of Senna spectabilis have been removed from the North Wayanad Division, with eradication efforts continuing across the remaining area. In the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, 821 hectares of Senna infested land have been cleared, and work is ongoing to eradicate it from the remaining 927 hectares.
12. The report from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests clearly indicates that the Government of Kerala and the Forest Department are implementing various measures to eradicate exotic plantations in a phased manner, with the aim of restoring these areas to their natural state. Additionally, it is evident that 6 efforts to remove invasive alien species are ongoing, and the Forest Department of Kerala is overseeing the entire process.
13. Given that the Forest Department of Kerala is actively working to eradicate the exotic plantations and the process is underway, we direct the Government of Kerala and the Forest Department to complete this work in a phased manner as soon as possible, while strictly adhering to all applicable rules and regulations.
14. In view of the above the Original Applications (O.A. No. 230 of 2024 and O.A. No. 231 of 2024 are disposed of.
15. Post the matter for compliance after 06 months.
............................................................J.M. (Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana) .......................................E.M. (Dr. Satyagopal Korlapati) Internet - Yes/No All India NGT Reporter - Yes/No O.A. No.230/2024(SZ)& O.A. No. 231/2024(SZ) 28th January, 2024. (AM) 7