Leased forest land at Athirappilly in Keralam to be surveyed amid disputes over blocking elephant corridor
KOCHI The leased forest land held by the Plantation Corporation, Kerala (PCK) for its Plantation Valley Farm Resort at Athirappilly will be jointly surveyed by the Forest department and the corporation amid the dispute over the violation of lease conditions, obstruction of elephant corridor, and instances of human-wildlife conflicts in the project area. The move comes a decade after the expiry of the lease agreement for the two-hectare holding.
The PCK’s proposal to renew the lease agreement and access more land was strongly opposed by the department, which argued that the holding extended beyond the leased area and “into an area forming part of a core wildlife habitat.” A detailed study to identify the areas of leased forest land required for wildlife movement and habitat connectivity, and to outline steps for their restoration and maintenance to reduce human-wildlife conflicts, will be undertaken.
‘Violation of lease conditions’ The department objected to the reported violation of lease conditions, including the engagement of private agencies for pineapple farming and other activities on the holding. The officials also quoted a recent Kerala High Court order which noted that “no sub-leasing, sub-contracting or other operational arrangements with private parties that violate the lease conditions or the conditions of forest clearance shall be permitted” to drive home their arguments at a meeting convened by the State Forest secretary two weeks ago.
The Divisional Forest Officer, Chalakudy, raised concern over the human-wildlife conflict in the resort area, including the sighting of tigers. Environmentalists unhappy The PCK’s 'continued occupation’ of the forest lease land and the alleged blockade of elephant corridors and the resultant instances of human-wildlife conflicts had invited the wrath of environmentalists too. The department had flagged the reported fencing carried out by the PCK in the leased land, which allegedly obstructed elephant passage through the area.
The meeting also decided to identify and demarcate the extent of the elephant corridor in the leased area and to maintain the corridor. All activities in the corridor inconsistent with its maintenance will be cleared, and pineapple farming shall not be undertaken in the elephant corridor, it was decided. However, George Joseph, PCK managing director, said the resort project was more or less confined to the leased area.
Mr. Joseph informed the meeting that private agencies were engaged for pineapple farming during replanting of the crown to meet the operational and planting costs.
