No forcible acquisition of farmers’ land under environmental laws, Keralam to push Centre to restrict ESA notification to 98 villages: Forest Minister

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Forest Minister Shibu Baby John convening a meeting with representatives of farmers’ organisations in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Forest Minister Shibu Baby John has assured farmers’ organisations that farmers’ land in Keralam would not be forcibly acquired under any environmental protection laws.

Speaking at a discussion with representatives of farmers’ organisations from forest fringe areas on measures to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and other issues in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, the Minister said that any acquisition of land, if found unavoidable, would be carried out only after providing compensation.

Mr. John added that the State government would exert pressure on the Centre to limit the area under the Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) notification to 98 villages in the State. The government has also decided to ensure that human settlements, agricultural land and plantation areas were completely excluded from the ESA limits, he informed the meeting.

The Minister assured the farmers that compensation provided for crop losses and other damages caused by wildlife attacks would be substantially increased. Steps would also be taken to ensure that the compensation reached the affected farmers within a fixed time frame.

A vision document prepared on the basis of discussions held with MPs, MLAs, panchayat presidents, farmers’ organisations and environmental groups from forest-fringe areas was presented at the meeting.

The government aims to regulate the movement of wild animals by strengthening afforestation, restoring grasslands and natural forests, and installing solar pumps and rainwater harvesting pits inside forests to ensure adequate drinking water for wildlife, Mr. John said.

The Minister said a security mechanism would be established along Keralam’s forest boundaries, with a three-tier security system to be introduced at identified hotspots. Artificial intelligence-based visual and audio systems would be developed to deter and drive away wild animals. Additionally, 25 new rapid action forces would also be deployed, while drone squads would be established to monitor and respond to wildlife threats.

He called for the adoption of smart farming practices to prevent wildlife attacks and provide farmers with alternative sources of income. Cultivation of crops such as turmeric, ginger and lemon, which do not attract wild animals, would be encouraged in forest-fringe areas, he said.

Recognising waste dumping as one of the major factors attracting wild animals to human habitations, the government would work with the Local Self-Government department to strengthen waste management and disposal systems, the Minister added.

He said adalats were being conducted to address the delays in issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs) related to land. Complaints received through such grievance redressal forums were being settled within a stipulated time-frame.

According to Mr. John, nearly ₹5.31 crore has been distributed as compensation through 38 adalats.