The Kerala High Court has granted an additional two weeks to the central and state governments to place on record their affidavits in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging pineapple cultivation in the Athirappilly and Kallal plantations. These plantations are forest lands leased to the Plantation Corporation of Kerala.
Court’s Direction on Unauthorized Use
Taking note of the petitioner’s submission that the lease had expired six years ago, the bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V M Syam Kumar further directed that no unauthorised use of the forest land shall be permitted in the meantime. The court adjourned the PIL to July 2.
Background of the PIL
The court was considering a PIL filed by Angels Nair, a wildlife activist and general secretary of the Animal Legal Force Integration. In the petition, Nair alleged that pineapple cultivation at the Athirappilly and Kallal plantation estates, involving the extensive use of pesticides and fertilisers, poses a serious ecological threat to the Chalakudy River, as these substances leach into the watercourse.
He further contended that the cultivation has resulted in the loss of food and fodder sources for wildlife, thereby increasing the likelihood of human-animal conflict in the region. The petitioner also alleged that the Plantation Corporation had obtained the forest land on a 50-year lease from the forest department and that the lease had expired six years ago.
Government’s Response
When the matter was taken up on June 4, the state government sought additional time to file its affidavit. The court also observed that the views of the central government were important, as the case concerns the use of forest land and the petitioner has alleged that the lease period has already expired. Accordingly, the High Court granted both the central and state governments two weeks to file their affidavits.
