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

Trees marked for possible removal as part of a proposed solar fencing project in the Chalakudy Forest Division in Keralam. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

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.