Kerala Forest Dept Calls PCK's Hold on 3,900 ha Lease-Expired Land 'Unauthorised'
The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted by the Supreme Court, has sought a detailed response from the Kerala Forest department on allegations that the Plantation Corporation of Kerala Ltd. (PCK) continues to occupy and commercially use more than 3,900 hectares of leased-expired Reserved Forest (RF) land, including areas sublet for pineapple cultivation.
During a hearing on July 20, 2026, on a petition filed by T.J. Krishnan, president of the Ecological Conservation Society, North Paravur, the Forest department informed the CEC that the land in question is 'lease-expired RF land' and that PCK's continued possession and plantation operations are 'unauthorised'.
The petitioner alleged that PCK has been occupying and using large tracts of RF land despite the lease expiry. It was further alleged that portions of this land had been leased, subleased, licensed, or otherwise allotted to private farmers for pineapple cultivation, adversely affecting wildlife habitats and elephant movement corridors.
The petition sought directions to examine the legality of the continued occupation, conduct an independent field inspection of the Kalady Group Plantations and adjoining elephant movement areas, investigate the reported allotment of land to private parties, and assess the ecological impact of pineapple cultivation, fencing, and land-modification activities.
The society also urged restoration of damaged forest areas, removal of solar fences and other barriers restricting elephant movement, suspension of further pineapple cultivation and related land-development activities, and preparation of a scientifically informed habitat restoration and wildlife corridor management plan. The petitioner has additionally sought cancellation of a government order dated April 2, 2025, which permits pineapple cultivation in the lease-expired RF land.
During the hearing, Deepak Mishra, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) (Forest Management), Kerala, clarified the Forest department's position before the CEC. As per submissions recorded by the CEC, the department stated that portions of the land had been leased, subleased, licensed, or otherwise allotted to private parties for pineapple cultivation. It further submitted that pineapple cultivation, fencing, and related activities had adversely affected wildlife movement, habitat connectivity, soil stability, water resources, and the ecological integrity of the area.
The Forest department informed the committee that 3,902.80 hectares (9,644.02 acres) of forestland—3,666.43 hectares in Malayattoor-Idiyara RF and 236.37 hectares in Kodassery RF—had been leased to PCK for 50 years under various government orders issued between 1961 and 1966. A lease deed was executed between the Chief Conservator of Forests and the Managing Director of PCK on July 9, 1971. The leased forestland falls under three forest divisions, comprising around 2,450 hectares in Vazhachal, 1,211 hectares in Malayattoor, and 239 hectares in Chalakudy.
After hearing the matter, the CEC directed the PCCF (Forest Management) to examine relevant records and submit a detailed response on the issues raised in the petition within two weeks.
Meanwhile, N. Badusha, president of the Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshana Samiti, urged the State government to immediately take back the lease-expired forestland from PCK. He alleged that PCK had violated lease conditions by cultivating pineapple and other crops that attract elephants, thereby aggravating human-wildlife conflict. 'Restoring the land as forest and removing fences to reopen elephant corridors should be prioritised to mitigate the conflict,' Mr. Badusha added.
