33 villages out? Kerala seeks major rewrite of eco-sensitive area map

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has submitted a proposal to the Centre seeking to limit the State’s eco-sensitive area (ESA) to 8,590.69 sq km, excluding inhabited areas, agricultural land and plantations. Electricity and Environment Minister Sunny Joseph said the proposal was submitted as part of the State’s response to the seventh draft notification on the Western Ghats ESA issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The State has proposed that the ESA be confined to forest areas. The Legislative Assembly will pass a unanimous resolution on the issue when it meets next, Sunny Joseph said.

As the issue has remained unresolved for 13 years, a delegation led by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan may also visit New Delhi to meet the concerned Union Ministers if necessary.

Restrictions could affect agriculture

Kerala has a relatively small land area and high population density, while forest areas account for 29.15% of the State’s total area. The State has argued that imposing additional restrictions on activities already regulated under laws concerning paddy fields, wetlands and forests could adversely affect agriculture, development and people’s lives.

The 2013 Kasturirangan Committee report had proposed 13,108 sq km across 123 villages in Kerala as ESA. Following widespread protests, the area was subsequently reduced to 9,993.7 sq km based on the recommendations of the Oommen V. Oommen committee . Of the 9,993.7 sq km, 9,107 sq km is forest area and 886.7 sq km is non-forest area . Kerala is now seeking to exclude the non-forest areas and further reduce the ESA to 8,590.69 sq km. The latest draft notification covers 131 villages , with the State seeking to exclude 33 of them and bring the number down to 98 .

33 villages proposed for exclusion

Idukki: Kokkayar, Chakkupallam, Anavilasam, Ayyappancoil, Anakkara, Kattappana, Pampadumpara, Arakkulam, Erattayar, Thankamany, Kalkoonthal, Parathode, Upputhode, Udumbanchola, Vathikudy, Chathurangapara, Kanthippara, Konnathady, Rajakkad, Rajakumari, Kunjithanny, Karunapuram and Vandanmedu.

Kottayam: Poonjar Thekkekara, Teekoy, Melukavu and Kootickal.

Thiruvananthapuram: Mannurkara and Kallikkad.

Wayanad: Achoornam.

Kozhikode: Kedavoor.

Malappuram: Chungathara.

Palakkad: Muthalamada II.