Kerala HC seeks central, state govt views on plea against pineapple cultivation in Athirappilly forest land

Kochi: High court has granted an additional two weeks to the central and state govts to place on record their affidavits in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging pineapple cultivation in the Athirappilly and Kallal plantations, which are forest lands leased to the Plantation Corporation.

Taking note of the petitioner’s submission that the lease had expired six years ago, the bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V M Syam Kumar further directed that no unauthorised use of the forest land shall be permitted in the meantime and adjourned the PIL to July 2.

The court was considering a PIL filed by Angels Nair, a wildlife activist and general secretary of the Animal Legal Force Integration. In the petition, Nair alleged that pineapple cultivation at the Athirappilly and Kallal plantation estates, involving the extensive use of pesticides and fertilisers, poses a serious ecological threat to the Chalakudy River, as these substances leach into the watercourse. He further contended that the cultivation has resulted in the loss of food and fodder sources for wildlife, thereby increasing the likelihood of human-animal conflict in the region. The petitioner also alleged that the Plantation Corporation had obtained the forest land on a 50-year lease from the forest department and that the lease had expired six years ago.

When the matter was taken up on June 4, the state govt sought additional time to file its affidavit. The court also observed that the views of the central govt were important, as the case concerns the use of forest land and the petitioner has alleged that the lease period has already expired. Accordingly, HC granted both the central and state govts two weeks to file their affidavits.