THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Forest Department has decided to correct the Forest Act Amendment following the opposition to certain provisions. The department stated that the changes will be implemented after the hearing, which concludes on the 31st of this month.

The decision comes in the wake of widespread protests against the draft amendment. The opposition, Church leadership, and the Kerala Congress (Mani Group) had strongly opposed the proposed amendments to the forest law.

The bill to amend the Kerala Forest Act has raised concerns among people in the eastern highland regions of the districts. The legislative move aims to increase fines for forest-related offences by up to ten times. Some had criticized the amendment in the bill as being a black law.

The new legislation allows forest officials to detain individuals without a warrant or registering a case. People in the highland regions view the amendments as a step to curb public anger over wild animal attacks, which are a frequent source of unrest.

The bill to amend the Kerala Forest Act of 1961 has been published to seek public opinion. The Forest Department is preparing to pass the bill into law during the legislative assembly session scheduled for next month. The cabinet has already approved the bill.