ZERO HOUR mENTION
The destruction of the ecological sensitive Western Ghats through
Encroachments and deliberate flouting of Environment laws and Court Directives : Request to Environment Ministry, GOI to
urgently intervene
April 05, 2017
Sir,
I
would like to bring to the attention of the house – the serious and wanton
destruction of the Ecologically Sensitive Western Ghat
region, in particular to forest lands in Munnar.
This area is being destroyed
through a rampant culture of encroachment and lack of law enforcement – being done
in active collusion with local political leaders and elements of the State
Government.
This represents a serious threat to
the ecological protection of Western Ghats, in 4 states namely Kerala,
Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Goa. Munnar
is one of the most famous hill stations in Western Ghats, located at 1800 m
above MSL in idukki District of Kerala. Munnar as the name indicates is the origin of 3 rivers. Munnar and adjoining areas like Cardamom Hill Reserve are
identified as Eco-Sensitive Zone. This area is facing massive land encroachment
and illegal constructions by influential persons supported by the local
politicians including that of the people’s representatives of ruling front in
the state.
The legal status of the Munnar and Cardamom Hill Reserve (about 86,000 hectares) is
forest, as identified by the Special Committee constituted by the Hon’ble
Supreme Court. There are 3 National Parks within this area. Outside the
national parks, the land is still managed by State Revenue Department. Cardamom
Hill Reserve accounts for about 70% of the cardamom production of the country.
This area is identified as one of the biodiversity hotspots in Western Ghats.
Pallivasal, Kannan Devan Hill (KDH) and Chinnakanal
are the 3 villages in which the massive illegal constructions and encroachments
are at its peak. The pristine government lands are being encroached by
individuals and obtaining assignment certificates from local revenue
authorities. In 1993, the Central Govt has given permission for the assignments
of some forest lands but even after the same, more forest lands are being
encroached and such encroachments are being regularized without prior
permission from the Central Government.
As we all know, any Construction of
commercial buildings / resorts within forest lands without prior permission
from the Central Government is illegal. Now, there are more than 400 resorts
constructed in and around Munnar, causing irrepairable harm to the sensitive region.
Even though the revenue officials
issued stop memo to all the constructions, it is being completed with the help
of local political leaders, in both ruling and opposition front.
Sir, the Central Empowered
Committee (CEC) appointed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court has visited Munnar and reported in 2005 that there are hundreds of
forged patta (assignment) to encroach forest lands.
It is also reported by the CEC that the list of encroachers includes the then
Member of Parliament, relatives of ministers and political leaders. In 2010,
the Central Government has constituted a Special Team to examine the violations
of Forest (Conservation) Act in Munnar. The report of
the MOEF team recommended for the strict implementation of Forest Conservation
Act in Munnar. Most of the recommendations of the
said report were not implemented, till date. Instead, the encroachments have
been doubled after 2010, with the help of state machinery.
Sir, the National Green Tribunal
has taken the matter into consideration in 2015 and issued strict directions to
the Kerala State to curb the encroachments, restore the areas and not to supply
electricity connection for illegal constructions. Even the present state
government is also helping the encroachers, especially of the local CPIM
leaders to violate the court order. The
Central Government may kindly look into the violation
of the order of Green Tribunal in O.A No.462 of 2013(SZ).
Sir, I will speak on some recent
facts. The present Devikolam sub-collector Dr.Sriram Venkitaraman
is on his one man mission against the illegal constructions and encroachers.
Within last 6 months, he has issued stop memo for about 100 illegal
constructions. His actions were recently upheld and appreciated by the High
Court of Kerala. The sub-collector has close down
illegal quarry mining units that destroyed the forest areas, which is the main
source of illegal income of some political leaders. CPI(M) in the leadership of
Munnar MLA and State Electricity Minister has
declared open fight against the sub-collector. On March 7th, they
have started agitation in front of Sub-collector’s office. In fact, the land
possessed by Munnar MLA is also in the list of encroachment
that obtained bogus assignment. Idukki MP is also facing allegations against
the illegal possession of forest lands assigned to local tribes. Then the Chief
Minister of Kerala, has convened a meeting and declared open support to the
encroachments of his party leaders.
Sir, last month the State Land
Revenue Commissioner has given report to the Government that it has become
impossible for revenue officials to examine bogus records as they are facing
life threat from local politicians. Report also states that the ecological
restoration of Munnar is hopelessly barred by these
political interferences. This report has to be viewed
seriously. It seems the rule of law itself is in peril in Kerala
Sir, as a country, we are trying
our level best to achieve the global mission to reduce carbon emission by
conserving our forests. The silent attitude of the State of Kerala against the
forest land encroachments has to be seriously
addressed by the Central Government, especially in a global warming era. Any
land use in violation of the Central Act (FC) is to be viewed seriously. The
recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee on CHR in and Central Team
report on Munnar has to be
implemented in its letter and spirit, to conserve the remaining ecology of Munnar. All encroachments and illegal constructions in Munnar, Pallivasal and CHR should
be evicted in a time bounded manner, under FC Act. Any construction in
landslide prone High Hazard areas should be dismantled with immediate effect. I
request the government to conduct an enquiry about the failure of State of
Kerala to implement forest conservation act in Munnar
and adjoining areas in Western Ghats.
Sir, Strict action shall be taken
against the violators of FC Act in Munnar and CHR. It
would be great if a sustainable Tourism master plan is brought for Munnar for protecting the responsible tourism industry
also. Giving national importance, the Munnar and
Cardamom Hill Reserve must be protected as eco-sensitive Zone, by defeating the
petty local political interests.
Please watch the speech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjaOc0IMvj8