Govt to withdraw cases against church leaders, politicians for illegally entering forestland in Kuttampuzha

Kochi: State govt decided to withdraw the case against church leaders and politicians in connection with illegally entering pristine forestland in Kothamangalam and damaging permanent structures there.

A high-level meeting, chaired by industries minister P Rajeeve, who is in charge of Ernakulam district, and attended by forest minister AK Saseendran, decided not to pursue further action on the case registered by forest department and police against former bishop Mar George Punnakottil of Kothamangalam diocese; Dean Kuriakose, MP; Antony John, MLA; other public representatives; priests and activists who participated in the people's protest at Pooyamkutty in Kuttampuzha range on March 16 regarding the opening of Aluva-Munnar highway.

Principal chief conservator of forests (forest management) Rajesh Ravindran was tasked with examining the existing disputes and facts concerning Aluva-Munnar highway and preparing a comprehensive report. He was instructed to complete and submit the report within three months.

It is found that there is a concerted effort to fragment the forest area by opening up an old path, which remained closed for a century, in order to pave way for setting up resorts and thereby causing man-animal conflicts. It is also noted that there is an attempt to set a narrative that the said land does not belong to forest department.

However, a 2005 study found that there are no settlements which can use the old path. Besides, the study says that there are other roads which are in intense use. Developing the link (old path) will fragment 400 sq km of contiguous forest of Pooyamkutty valley, the study noted.

An Ernakulam-based NGO has also sent a letter to Prime Minister and others concerned, pointing out the hidden move to fragment the forest area.

The meeting was attended by Antony John, MLA, Kothamangalam diocese representative Fr Arun Valiyathazhath, chief wildlife warden Pramod G Krishnan and deputy conservator of forests MVG Kannan.