Thiruvananthapuram: Forest minister Shibu Baby John assured farmer groups that their land will not be forcefully taken under ecologically-sensitive area (ESA) norms. “If land needs to be acquired, it will be done only after paying compensation. The state has decided to exclude residential areas, farmland and plantation regions from ESA boundary,” he said at a meeting with representatives of farmer groups at the Secretariat on Tuesday.John said that the state will press Centre to limit ESAs to 98 villages. He promised that compensation given to farmers for crop loss and other damages caused by wildlife attacks would be substantially raised and delivered without delay.John said govt is working with the twin goal of protecting forests and ensuring farmers’ welfare. He stressed the department and farmers must work together and govt will safeguard the interests of genuine farmers but won’t spare encroachers. He asked farmers to identify and isolate such people. Farmer groups raised a concern that the department is the biggest hurdle in obtaining a gun licence and demanded a solution.They also wanted ‘janda’ – the stone or pillar used by the department to mark protected forests – to be declared the official forest boundary, revise the notification declaring Mankulam as forest land and permission to use natural resources outside forest boundaries and sought a forest carrying-capacity study in Idukki.John presented a vision document based on the discussions with MPs, MLAs, panchayat presidents, farmer organisations and environmental groups from forest-border areas.“Govt aims to curb incidents of wild animals straying into human habitats by strengthening afforestation, restoring grasslands and natural forests and setting up solar pumps and rainwater pits inside forests to ensure drinking water availability there. A security system will be established along forest borders. In hotspots, a three-tier protection setup will be introduced. AI-based audio-visual systems will be installed to drive animals away,” he said, adding that 25 new rapid response teams will be deployed and that drone squads will also be formed.He suggested smart farming to protect crops from wild animals and thus help farmers develop alternative sources of income. He added that crops such as turmeric, ginger and lemon would be encouraged along forest borders as they are less likely to attract animals. Recognizing that waste dumping is one of the main reasons animals are drawn to human habitats, govt will work with LSGD to strengthen waste management, he added.John said adalats were being held to resolve delays in issuing land-related NOCs, with complaints settled promptly. More such sessions will follow. Compensation of Rs 5.31 crore was distributed through 38 adalats. An order has also allowed any licensed gun holder to be appointed as a shooter for wild boar control, he added.
