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Copy of letter from the Central empowered Committee to the Chief Secretary
of Kerala regarding the occupation of forest land by tribals as part of their
agitation for land and livelihood and the reply given by the Chief Secretary,
released by the Kerala Government (India)
CENTRAL EMPOWERED COMMITTEE
(CONSTITUTED BY THE HON'BLE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA)
IN WRIT PETITION (CIVIL NO. 202/96 & 171/96)
Room No. 106, Paryavaran Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodi Road, New Delhi - 110 003.
Tele Fax # 4363976
E.No. 1-26/CEC/02
Dated : 29th January, 2003
To
Shri. N.C.S. Nair,
Chief Secretary,
Government of Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram
Sub: Threat to Wildlife habitat due to massive encroachment
in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
Sir,
I am enclosing herewith a copy of the Application No. 100 received by
the Committee on the above subject. Keeping in view very important issues
raised on the Application, the Committee has decided to carry on site
inspection and early hearing of the Application. In the meantime, you are
requested to kindly send detailed view of the State Government along with
the details of the action taken for removal/prevention of encroachments.
An early reply is requested.
Yours faithfully
(Sd/-)
(M.K. Jiwrajka)
Member Secretary
Copy to:
1. The Principal Secretary (Forests), Govt. of Kerala
2. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Govt. of Kerala
3. Shri Vivek Menon, Executive Director, Wildlife Trust of India, C.644,
New Friends Colony, New Delhi.
Date 31.01.2003
From
N. Chandrasekharan Nair
Chief Secretary
Government of Kerala.
To
Shri. Jiwarajka
Member Secretary,
Central Empowered Committee,
Room No.106, Paryavaran Bhavan,
CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110 003.
Sir,
Sub Threat to Wildlife habitat due to massive encroachment
in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Ref Your letter F No. 1-26/CEC/02
On 5th January 2003 around 500 activists of Adivasi Gothra Sabha under
the leadership of Ms. C.K. Janu encroached into Amboothi and
Thakarappadi areas of Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad district. On
5th January, around 800 activists of an organization called Adivasi Kshema
Samithy made encroachment at around 15 places in Wayanad South and
North Divisions. On getting information the District Administration with
the assistance of the Forest Department officials initiated discussions with
the leaders of the tribal groups. The demands of the encroachers centre
around distribution of land to landless tribal families. The District
Administration has taken steps to contain the encroachment and is
continuing its efforts to get the tribals to vacate the forest land. It may be
noted that there has been no destruction of trees or fauna and the activists
are continuing their agitation by staying out in the areas.
We are watching the situation closely. The Government is committed
to preserve forest resources and has acted quickly wherever there has
been any intrusion into forest areas. The recent large scale eviction
carried out at Mathikettan is an example. However, as encroachers in
this case are landless tribals who are from the most deprived sections of
society, Government would like to use force only as last resort. Already
some of the encroachers have reportedly left the forest and the continuing
occupation is largely symbolic. The District officers are continuing their
efforts to persuade the tribals to vacate the land encroached upon. We shall
keep the Committee informed of further development.
Yours faithfully,
(Sd/-)
Chandrasekharan Nair