5 hrs ago
Kerala Minister Assures Farmers Over Forest Land, Wildlife Measures
Kerala farmers were worried that environmental laws might take away their land.
Forest Minister Shibu Baby John said land would not be taken by force.
He said any necessary acquisition would include compensation.
The government also said it would protect genuine farmers but would not support encroachers.
Kerala plans to ask the national government to keep farms, plantations and settlements outside a proposed sensitive area.
The state wants to improve payments for crops damaged by wild animals.
It also plans new response teams, drones and an artificial intelligence system to help keep animals away.
Farmers asked for faster permits, clearer forest boundaries and other changes.
The minister said farmers and officials should work together to protect both people and forests.
Forest Minister Shibu Baby John said farmers’ land would not be forcibly taken under ecologically sensitive land laws.
Any required acquisition would follow compensation, while the government would protect genuine farmers and act against encroachers.
Kerala will press the Centre to limit the Ecologically Sensitive Area to 98 villages and exclude settlements, farms and plantations.
The state plans 25 new Rapid Response Teams, a drone squad and artificial intelligence-based systems to address wildlife conflict.
The minister said crop-loss compensation would increase, while 38 adalats have distributed Rs 5.31 crore and cleared 519 km of pending work.
- Who
- Kerala Forest Minister Shibu Baby John, farmers’ organisations and Forest Department officials.
- What
- The minister assured farmers on land acquisition, compensation and measures to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
- Where
- Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, involving concerns from hilly and forest-border regions.
- When
- The meeting was held on Tuesday, September 15; the minister also cited actions taken in the previous 100 days.
- Why
- To discuss farmers’ concerns about ecologically fragile land laws, wildlife attacks, forest boundaries and related administrative delays.
Farmers’ Concerns
Government Assurances and Plans
Land and environmental laws
Farmers’ Concerns
Farmers’ organisations raised concerns about implementing the Kerala Forest (Vesting and Management of Ecologically Fragile Lands) Act and sought protection for their land.
Government Assurances and Plans
The minister said genuine farmers would be protected, land would not be forcibly taken and any necessary acquisition would be compensated; he also said encroachers would not receive the same protection.
Ecologically Sensitive Area boundaries
Farmers’ Concerns
Farmers’ representatives sought clearer official forest boundaries and changes to land-related notifications, including the notification declaring Mankulam a forest.
Government Assurances and Plans
The state said it would ask the Centre to limit the ESA to 98 villages and keep human settlements, agricultural land and plantations outside it.
Human-wildlife conflict
Farmers’ Concerns
Farmers sought quicker compensation and action on wildlife attacks, along with permission to use resources outside forest boundaries and a carrying-capacity study in Idukki.
Government Assurances and Plans
The government proposed increased and faster compensation, strengthened forest-border security, 25 Rapid Response Teams, a drone squad, artificial intelligence-based deterrence and improved forest water sources.
Key facts
- Ecologically Sensitive Area
- Kerala plans to press the Centre to limit the ESA to 98 villages and exclude settlements, agricultural land and plantations.
- Land acquisition
- The minister said there would be no forcible takeover and that any required acquisition would include compensation.
- Wildlife response
- The state plans 25 new Rapid Response Teams, a drone squad and an artificial intelligence-based audio-visual system.
- Compensation
- The government plans to substantially increase compensation for crop losses and other damage caused by wildlife attacks.
- Adalats
- Thirty-eight adalats have addressed delays involving land No Objection Certificates and distributed Rs 5.31 crore in compensation.
- Clearance work
- The minister said clearance work had been completed over 519 km during the previous 100 days.
- Proposed farming changes
- Turmeric, ginger and lemon cultivation will be promoted in forest-border areas because they are less likely to attract wild animals.
Quotes
Shibu Baby John
Kerala Forest Minister who addressed farmers’ concerns at the meeting
“The government will protect the interests of genuine farmers. However, there will be no compromise with encroachers.”
theprint.in
“The department and farmers should work together”
theprint.in
Sources
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