THE HINDU IMPACT | Kerala HC initiates suo motu PIL into tree-felling on CHR land in Idukki

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday registered a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging large-scale felling of trees and unauthorized construction in about 296 acres of cardamom title land in Gudanpara Estate in Idukki, falling under Ponmudi Forest Division, Devikulam Range.

The petition was initiated based on a report. Hindu about the large scale destruction of virgin forest land in the name of cardamom cultivation on the land. Three cases have been registered by the Forest department regarding felling of rare tree species.

The PIL stated that serious environmental concerns were raised in the report regarding alleged destruction of forest land, loss of biodiversity, unauthorized activities in an ecologically sensitive area and the need to ensure effective implementation of forest and environmental laws for the protection and conservation of the Cardamom Hill Reserve (CHR).

The court noted that Gudanpara Estate was initially claimed by local and Tamil Nadu residents and was later rented out. No agricultural activity had been carried out on the land in question before. Despite repeated requests from the authorities, the “owners” did not show copies of the title deeds. The land shares borders with Tamil Nadu and contains over 600 varieties of trees that form part of a virgin forest ecosystem and serve as a natural habitat for many wildlife species.

Chief Secretary, Forest and Revenue departments, Chief Conservator of Forests, District Forest Officer Devikulam and District Collector Idukki have been assigned to the PIL to respond to the allegations and take necessary action.

Last year, another incident of felling was reported at Cardamom Hill Sanctuary at Uchilukuth in Santhanpara. More than 1,000 indigenous trees were cut down without permission in an area of ​​40 acres in the name of cardamom cultivation.