The Hindu Business Line : Kerala Govt plans to amend Act to curb felling of trees

To curb indiscriminate felling of trees in forests and to promote afforestation, the State Government has proposed to amend Section 6 of the Kerala Promotion of Tree Growth in Non Forest Areas Act 2005 through an ordinance. The section provides landowners with the freedom to fell and remove trees.

Though the previous Government had passed the Act, it was being misused and there has been widespread felling of trees using Section 6, the State Forests Minister, Mr Benoy Viswom, told newspersons.

He said that tribals, who form an integral part of the forest conservation efforts, would be involved in this initiative.

The Government would also take steps to ensure the interests of small farmers, he added.

On development of Sabarimala, the Minister said that the master plan formulated in this regard would be discussed with all stakeholders, including the Devaswom Board.

The Irrigation and Forest Departments should also come out with a concrete plan of action and the master plan would be used as a starting point for initiating discussions, he said.

Mr Viswom, who also holds the portfolio of Housing, said that the Government is committed to providing housing to all marginalised sections of society as envisaged in the LDF manifesto. He called upon the public to actively participate in the initiative.