Southern States - Kerala   

Pattayam or not, forestland grab is a way of life

By K.P.M. Basheer

KOCHI Aug. 22. About 80,000 hectares of forests have been encroached upon in Kerala since 1977, a study made by the Paristhithi Samrakshana Ekopana Samithy (Coordination Committee for Environmental Protection) has found.

The most extensive encroachments have been in the Kothamangalam Forest Division--roughly 33,000 hectares. John Peruvanthanam, convener of the samithy, told The Hindu that just one range--Mullaringad--in the division had lost 11,000 hectares of forest to encroachers. Blatant, organised encroachments by large groups with covert support from political parties and officials had been the major feature of the Mullaringad Range land grab.

The forestland grab in the State has been extensive and intensive in the so-called `settlers' havens' where encroachers from southern Kerala have marched in. In fact, they became settlers' havens exactly because of the encroachments.

The other ranges in the Kothamangalam Division that have lost large chunks of forests are: Kaaliyaar (9,000 ha), Thodupuzha (5,000 ha) and Neriyamangalam (8,000 ha).

A quarter-century back, the Government had taken a decision, after near-unanimity among political parties, to regularise all forestland encroached upon before January 1, 1977 and not to recognise any occupation after that date. The cut-off date was set to check the large-scale organised forestland grab, often under political patronage.

The prospect of not getting pattayam after the cut-off date has only dimmed the vigour of encroachments and forestland grab has continued all over the State. Mr. Peruvanthanam said the encroachments after the cut-off date have mainly taken place in the following divisions: Thenmala, Kulathuppuzha, Konni, Ranni, Kottayam (High Range), Munnar, Malayattur, Vazhachal, Wayanad, Palakkad (three divisions), Nenmara and Mannarkkad.

In Malayattur Division, Kuttampuzha Range alone lost 4,000 hectares, while Adimali and Devikulam Ranges lost 3,000 ha and 3,500 ha respectively. Nagarampara Range of the High Range Division lost 3,800 ha and Ayyappankovil Range 1,800 ha. Another major encroachment was in Wayanad Division in which 3,500 ha was encroached upon in Chithalayam Range and 1,000 ha in Pulpally Range. In Palakkad Division, Attappady Range (3,500 ha) and Agali Range (3,200 ha) were the major losers. In Palakkad North Division, 1,900 ha. was occupied by encroachers in Nilambur Range and 1,200 ha in Edavanna Range. Mannarkkad Division lost 1,800 ha. In Nenmara Division, Nelliyampathy Range lost 2,000 ha, while Kollangod lost 1,000 and Alathur 800. Encroachment was less serious in Palakkad South Division (Ottapalam 300 ha, Olvakkod 200 ha and Walayar 200 ha) obviously because the availability was low.

Mullaringad forest grab: Mullaringad Range in Kothamangalam Division, which has lost the largest chunk of 11,000 ha, has seen the most extensive, blatant and organised forestland grab. For instance, seven years ago, on September 10, 1995, a large mob made an attempt to occupy some 1,000 acres in the reserve forest. The massive operation, unprecedented in the history of forestland grab in Kerala, was a military-like one: well-planned, well-organised and well-executed. At pre-dawn on the day, some 600 men and women from Idukki, Ernakulam and Kottayam districts descended on the reserve forest, some 15 km from Kothamangalam. By daybreak, they raised about 150 thatched sheds and declared that 1,000 acres of forestland belonged to them. The huts were photographed with a view to presenting them to the Courts to `prove' that the area had been `occupied' long back. The encroachers had later told The Hindu that this was done on the advice of a lawyer. However, by nightfall, all the encroachers had been driven out by the Forest officials and all the sheds were reduced to ashes.

The encroachment was led by an outfit called Kerala Bhoorahita Karshaka Thozhilali Sanghatana. The sanghatana's kingpins had misled the people that they would be taking on poramboke land and

money was collected from them. The failed Mullaringad operation served as an eye-opener to the Forest Department.

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