Environmental collective writes to Congress leadership against ‘anti-environmental actions’ by party MPs, MLAs in Kerala

Coexistence Collective, a broad coalition of environmental organisations, wildlife conservationists, researchers, scientists and civil society groups, has written to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) against the alleged “anti-environment” actions and statements made by the party’s MPs and MLAs in Kerala.

In the letter jointly signed by environmentalists, including MN Jayachandran, N. Badusha, Veena Maruthoor and KA Sulaiman, the collective alleges that some Congress leaders are trying to undermine forest, wildlife and environment protection and such actions have intensified since the United Democratic Front came to power in Kerala.

He accuses Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose of supporting forest encroachers, poachers and tourism interests accused of violating environmental laws in Idukki. The group alleged that the MP visited an accused in the wild elephant poaching case at Muvattupuzha Sub Jail and pressured the Forest Department to withdraw the case.

Activists also claim that he has publicly argued that people have the right to shoot and kill Schedule I wild animals, including elephants and tigers, that stray into areas outside forests, and that the government should not interfere. The collective warned that such statements encourage wildlife crime, forest encroachment and illegal hunting.

The letter also makes a reference to Udumbanchola MLA Senapathy Venu, claiming that he had announced plans to relocate all the elephants in the Chinnakanal reserve forest, despite the Forest Minister calling such a proposal impractical. The collective also mentions Thrikaripur MLA Sandeep Warrier, who has been demanding in the Kerala Legislative Assembly that wild elephants be captured and handed over to temples.

The signatories noted that such positions run counter to Congress’ longstanding policies and environmental legacy.