Kerala Forest Minister: No need to fear ESA notification, inhabited areas will be excluded
Kerala Forest Minister Shibu Baby John on Saturday (September 26) urged people not to spread baseless fears in connection with the Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) notification.
Inaugurating the 87th annual general body meeting of the Association of Planters of Kerala (APK), the Minister said the government is firm on its stand to completely exclude inhabited areas from the final notification.
He said the government would implement a containment, mitigation and compensation policy to tackle human-wildlife conflict.
ESA notifications are issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to protect ecologically sensitive zones around national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and other protected areas. They are meant to regulate certain activities that could damage biodiversity. In Kerala, the draft ESA notification has raised concerns among farmers, plantation owners and residents about possible restrictions on land use and agricultural practices.
The Minister's remarks sought to address those anxieties. He said inhabited areas would not be included in the final notification, a position the government has maintained. The proposed containment, mitigation and compensation policy is aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict and providing relief when losses occur.
APK chairman T.R. Radhakrishnan chaired the meeting. The general body urged the government to introduce a compensation scheme on the model of motor insurance for incidents of wild animals destroying crops. Such a scheme, the association said, would provide a predictable and timely mechanism for farmers to claim compensation.
United Planters' Association of Southern India vice-president Anil Mathew demanded that land permitted for diversification be increased from 5% to 30%. Diversification allows plantation owners to grow other crops or use part of their land for alternative activities. The current 5% limit, according to the association, restricts their ability to adapt to market changes and climate risks.
The meeting comes amid ongoing discussions between the state government and stakeholders over the ESA notification. The government has said it will balance ecological protection with the interests of people living in and around sensitive areas. The Minister's assurance that inhabited areas will be excluded is a key point in that effort.
The ESA framework is designed to protect biodiversity, while the concerns of local communities centre on how the rules will affect daily life and livelihoods. The government has said it will balance ecological protection with the interests of people living in and around sensitive areas.
The APK's demand for a motor insurance-style compensation scheme reflects long-standing concerns about crop damage by wild animals, including elephants, wild boars and other species. Human-wildlife conflict has been a persistent issue in Kerala, where forests and plantations often abut human settlements. The demand reflects concerns about compensation delays and inadequate payouts.
The Minister's statement that the government will pursue containment, mitigation and compensation suggests a three-pronged approach: preventing conflict where possible, reducing its impact, and compensating those who suffer losses. Details of the policy are yet to be announced.
The 87th annual general body meeting of the APK provided a platform for plantation owners to voice their concerns. The association represents planters across Kerala and has been vocal about regulatory and environmental issues affecting the sector. Its demands for a higher diversification limit and a better compensation mechanism are likely to feature in future discussions with the government.
As the final ESA notification is awaited, the Minister's appeal for calm and his assurance on inhabited areas may help ease tensions. However, the success of the government's approach will depend on clear communication, timely implementation and meaningful consultation with all stakeholders.
