Forest ‘violations’ in Keralam’s Chalakudy division come under scrutiny

Alleged unauthorised tree marking for a proposed solar fence and the felling of trees on forest land diverted for a school playground in the Chalakudy Forest Division in Keralam have raised environmental concerns, with environmentalists claiming that up to 20,000 trees could be affected.

Greens have warned of potential forest destruction and disruption of elephant corridors in the absence of a cumulative ecological impact assessment. They have demanded immediate intervention by the relevant authorities and a halt to work on the proposed fencing, which is intended as a human-elephant conflict mitigation measure.

The activities related to the fencing works are reportedly continuing even as the matter is under consideration by the Supreme Court-constituted Central Empowered Committee (CEC).

Two complaints filed

The Animals and Nature Ethics Community (ANEC) Trust has filed two complaints with the CEC alleging irregularities in the Chalakudy Forest Division, including proposed large-scale tree felling in the Kodassery Notified Reserve Forest and illegal diversion of forest land at Nayarangadi, both in Pariyaram range.

The first complaint alleged that tree marking and felling along a 30-km stretch for vista clearance and restoration of a solar-powered electric fence had begun without statutory approvals. It also alleged that the work was split into smaller proposals to evade scrutiny of its cumulative ecological impact.

The second complaint alleged the illegal diversion of 0.84 hectares of forest land at Nayarangadi for a school playground, involving quarrying and rock removal, the felling of hundreds of trees, including sandalwood, and irregularities in timber valuation and auction.

The complainant submitted photographs and other evidence. The CEC directed the Forest department and the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to jointly submit their response.

T.S. Santhosh, legal representative of ANEC Trust, said the proposed solar fence would span about 38 km across the Chalakudy Forest Division, including 30 km in Pariyaram and another 8 km in the Vellikulangara range.

“More than 6,000 trees have reportedly been assigned serial numbers, with around 20,000 potentially affected,” said Mr. Santhosh. “The key question is whether felling so many mature trees is necessary when less destructive alternatives, such as existing clearings and modified alignments, may be available. Large-scale tree removal and fencing could damage wildlife habitats, affect drainage and riparian vegetation, fragment ecological connectivity and obstruct elephant movement routes.”

When contacted, Joseph Thomas, divisional forest officer, Chalakudy, told The Hindu that the project was still at the planning stage.

“No work is currently under way. We are only assessing how many trees may need to be felled for the fencing. No marking is being done,” said Mr. Thomas.

Environmentalists have urged the Forest department to submit complete project records to the CEC and comply with its directions. They also sought an independent expert assessment and a VACB inquiry to establish violations, fix responsibility and initiate action against officials found guilty of irregularities.