Kerala Government Halts Forest Amendment Bill Amid Public Concerns
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government has decided to put the Kerala Forest (Amendment) Bill 2024 on hold due to widespread protests across the state.
The decision was taken during the weekly Cabinet meeting. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan addressed the media, stating that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government would not proceed with any amendments that would create inconvenience for the public. "We will not move forward with any further measures on this issue. There are significant concerns among people regarding the bill," he said.
He emphasized that the government has taken the public's apprehensions seriously, particularly regarding the potential misuse of the provisions proposed in the bill. "Our government's objective is not to enact any legislation that goes against the interests of farmers and residents of the high-range areas. Any law should be in the interest of the people," the Chief Minister added.
Vijayan also mentioned that forest laws should be formulated considering the state's unique geography and the lifestyle of its people. While the government aims to protect citizens from wildlife attacks, it will also ensure that there is no unscrupulous exploitation of forests and forest products, he said.
The Congress-led opposition, United Democratic Front (UDF), had launched a campaign against the Forest Amendment Bill, claiming it is detrimental to the residents of high-range areas. Former Nilambur MLA P.V. Anwar, who recently resigned from the assembly, accused the government of introducing the bill to displace people living in these regions. He noted that the Forest Bill would serve as a key issue in the upcoming Nilambur by-election.
The government announcement came on a day when a tribal woman was fatally gored by a wild elephant in the Malappuram district. Sarojini, 54, was attacked while she was in the forest behind her house grazing her goat.
Unbridled powers bestowed with forest officials draft bill
The bill proposed powers to the forest beat officer to search a house and arrest or detain a person without a warrant on suspicion of involvement in any forest offence. What is more alarming is the power to arrest or detain a person on suspicion even outside a forest area.
A forest officer of the rank of section officer will have the authority to arrest any person who attempts to obstruct him or his subordinates from performing duties. The Bill also includes stringent provisions against fishing in rivers near the forest and against dumping waste in such areas.
Many other provisions in the proposed bill had created fear and apprehension among the high range population.
