CHR issue: AIKS sent letter to Supreme Court Chief Justice

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), Kerala, farmers’ wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI), has started sending lettersto the Supreme Court Chief Justice demanding the Supreme Court Bench visit the Cardamom Hill Reserve (CHR) areas in the district to get a real picture of the issue. Mathew Varghese, State vice-president of the AIKS inaugurated the initiative at Rajakkad in Idukki on Friday.

Mr. Varghese said the initiative would continue till December 4, the date on which the court is scheduled to consider the case. “The CHR area is not forestland. Other than cardamom farming, over the years, lakhs of people have been trading and farming other crops in various parts of the CHR areas. The Supreme Court should consider the reality of the CHR areas in Idukki,” said Mr. Varghese.

Mr. Varghese alleged that the Forest department and some environmental groups were trying to convert the CHR lands to reserve forestland.

In October, the court issued an interim order blocking the distribution of title deeds in the CHR areas. The court passed the order while considering a petition filed by One Earth, One Life, an NGO.

The State government submitted an affidavit before the apex court on the issue, claiming that the CHR was revenue land. The affidavit submitted by State Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan stated that 2,64,855 acres of CHR lands are spread over Devikulam, Udumbanchola, and Peerumade taluks in Idukki.

Published - November 29, 2024 08:12 pm IST