The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Zone, has recently disposed of two cases related to exotic plantations in Kerala’s forests.
The cases were filed suo motu by the tribunal based on news articles published in newspapers.
The news articles highlighted the issue of exotic plantations, particularly eucalyptus, in Kerala’s forests, which has led to degradation of the forest ecosystem and man-animal conflict.
The articles also mentioned that the Kerala Forest Department had granted approval to the Kerala Forest Development Corporation to plant eucalyptus saplings in its forest plantations, which contradicts previous state and central government policies.
In response to the cases, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests filed a common report stating that the Kerala Forest Department had planted exotic species such as eucalyptus, acacia, and wattle for industrial purposes during the 1960s.
However, with evolving forest management practices, the department has decided to phase out these exotic monoculture plantations due to their ecological incompatibility.
The report further stated that a comprehensive eco-restoration plan has been developed to revert the exotic plantations to their natural state or to replant these areas with indigenous species.
The Government of Kerala has approved an eco-restoration policy, which targets the phased removal of these exotic monoculture plantations and their subsequent restoration to a natural or indigenous state.
The Division Bench of Judicial Member Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Expert Member Dr Satyagopal Korlapati, after considering the report, directed the Government of Kerala and the Forest Department to complete the work of eradicating exotic plantations in a phased manner as soon as possible, while strictly adhering to all applicable rules and regulations.
The tribunal disposed of the cases, directing that the matter be posted for compliance after six months.