Politics · India · 2 hrs ago
Tree-felling concerns raised over proposed fence in Kerala forest division
Complaints allege forest violations in Kerala’s Chalakudy division involving a proposed solar-powered fence and a school playground.
The Animals and Nature Ethics Community Trust says trees were marked for possible removal along a 30-kilometre stretch in the Pariyaram range without required approvals.
Up to 20,000 trees could be affected, according to the trust’s legal representative, though the Forest Department says it is only assessing how many may need to be felled.
The trust also alleges that 0.84 hectares of forest land at Nayarangadi were diverted for a playground, with trees felled and rock removed.
Environmentalists warn of harm to habitats and elephant routes and say the combined effects of the work need assessment.
The concerns matter because the fence is intended to reduce human-elephant conflict, but critics say its construction could disrupt wildlife and forest connectivity.
A Supreme Court-appointed committee has asked the Forest Department and vigilance agency to respond, and environmentalists want an independent assessment and an inquiry.
The department says no work is under way, and the committee’s consideration is ongoing.
Environmentalists have raised concerns about proposed solar fencing in Kerala’s Chalakudy Forest Division, saying as many as 20,000 trees could be affected.
The Animals and Nature Ethics Community Trust filed two complaints alleging irregularities, including tree marking for the fence and diversion of forest land for a school playground.
The group says the proposed fence would cover about 38 km, including 30 km in Pariyaram and 8 km in the Vellikulangara range.
The Chalakudy divisional forest officer said the project is still at the planning stage and no work or tree marking is under way.
The Supreme Court-constituted Central Empowered Committee directed the Forest department and the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to jointly respond to the complaints.
- Who
- The Animals and Nature Ethics Community Trust raised the complaints. The Chalakudy Forest Division and the Forest department are involved.
- What
- The complaints allege unauthorised tree marking for a proposed solar fence and illegal diversion of forest land for a school playground.
- When
- The report was published on October 13, 2026. The dates of the alleged activities are not stated.
- Where
- Chalakudy Forest Division, including Kodassery Notified Reserve Forest and Nayarangadi in Pariyaram range, Kerala.
- Why
- The proposed fence is intended to mitigate human-elephant conflict. Environmentalists say tree removal could damage habitats and disrupt elephant corridors.
Environmentalists and ANEC Trust
Chalakudy divisional forest officer
Tree marking and work status
Environmentalists and ANEC Trust
ANEC alleges tree marking and felling began without statutory approvals; environmentalists say activities are continuing.
Chalakudy divisional forest officer
The officer said no work or tree marking is under way and the project is still at the planning stage.
Need for tree removal
Environmentalists and ANEC Trust
Environmentalists question whether large-scale felling is necessary and say less destructive alternatives may be available.
Chalakudy divisional forest officer
The officer said the department is assessing how many trees may need to be felled.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Proposed fence length
- About 38 km
- Pariyaram stretch
- 30 km
- Vellikulangara stretch
- 8 km
- Trees assigned serial numbers
- More than 6,000
- Potentially affected trees
- Around 20,000
- Alleged land diversion
- 0.84 hectares at Nayarangadi
What people are saying
More than 6,000 trees have reportedly been assigned serial numbers, with around 20,000 potentially affected
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
Sources
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