The Kerala government's proposed amendments to the Kerala Forest Act of 1961 are facing criticism, particularly from farmer organizations who fear the changes will negatively impact residents of around 430 village panchayats.
Here's a simple explanation:
What is the Bill about? The Kerala Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to update the state's forest laws.
What is the main goal? To prevent waste dumping in forests and rivers that flow into forests.
What are the main changes proposed in the Bill?
Criminalizing Waste Dumping: Dumping waste in forest rivers or rivers flowing into forests becomes a criminal offense.
Increased Powers for Forest Officers: They will have more authority, including the power to arrest people without a warrant.
Higher Fines: Penalties for breaking forest laws will increase significantly.
Expanded Definition of "Forest Officer": This will now include lower-level and temporary staff, like beat forest officers, tribal watchers, and forest watchers.
What are the main concerns about the Bill?
Arrest Without Warrant: The power to arrest without a warrant, even outside forest boundaries, is a major concern.
Potential Misuse of Power: Because temporary staff, who may be politically connected, will have these powers, there are worries about abuse.
Control Over Rivers Outside Forests: Because the law now includes rivers flowing into forests, there's fear that forest officials could control areas outside actual forests.
Increased Fines: Fines for minor offenses are increasing dramatically (e.g., from Rs 1,000 to Rs 25,000), which some feel is unfair.
Presumption of Guilt: The Bill allows forest officers to assume someone found with forest products is guilty until they prove otherwise.
Certification of Forest Produce: The power given to range officers and higher to certify forest produce raises concerns about potential misuse on private land.
What are some key facts?
Kerala has 941 village panchayats, and 430 could be affected by the Bill.
The previous fine for minor offenses was Rs 1,000.
The Bill allows arrests without warrants.
Temporary forest staff will have increased powers.
Rivers flowing into forests are now included in the Forest Act.
In simple terms: The Kerala government wants to strengthen its forest protection laws, but the proposed changes are causing concern. People are worried about increased powers for forest officials, especially the ability to arrest without a warrant, and the impact this could have on people living near forests and rivers. They also worry about the big increase in fines for breaking forest laws.