The protest against the Athirappilly hydel power project and the struggle to save wet forests of the Western Ghats is moving to yet another stage.
After formally ending the anti-dam protests at Athirappilly, on August 19, naturalists, Adivasis, and activists have been brainstorming how to protect the remaining natural forests.
How were our pristine wet forests on the Western Ghats destroyed? What is the role of Adivasis, farmers, the public? What role does forest management with a colonial legacy and the State as a custodian of the common good have? What is happening to our few remaining forests? These were some of the concerns raised by environmentalists at a recent get-together here.
They demand Vazhachal be declared as a conservation area of the Kadar indigenous community and the Great Hornbill, our State bird. A campaign to send one lakh post cards to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister has already been initiated.
Geetha, chieftain of Vazhachal Kadar Grama Sabha, mentioned about the culture and practice of their community in sustaining biodiversity.
The environmentalists raised concern about the direction conservation and forest management are headed while opening up the understorey and canopy of wet forests for planting saplings, removing hundreds of native species with huge investments such as Green India Mission and CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority).
The struggle to save ‘Athirappilly’ has moved into a global eco-political platform while demanding the honour for Statutory Grama Sabha, said M. Geethanandan of Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha.
“The Athirappilly struggle has gained political momentum while declaring solidarity with struggles for land, rights, and dignity,” Mohandas of the Chalakudy River Protection Forum said.
The CFR (Community Forest Resource) as defined in the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, is the real inclusive conservation area that can overcome the colonial conservation definitions, the participants felt.
“The traditional conservation practices of the local communities have got a legal definition now. This is why the corporate forest monopoly is scared. It is a real struggle for conservation, diversity, and ecological equity.
This will be a new era demanding for conservation area for an indigenous community within their traditional habitat,” said ecologist K.H. Amitha Bachan.
Workshop next month
About 72 persons representing various organisations and indigenous communities across the State participated. The gathering decided to have a three-day workshop focussing on Grama Sabha, ecosystem, people’s rights, and FRA from November 19 to 21.
Mr. Madhusoodhanan, senior advocate of Kerala High Court, released the draft report on "biodiversity report" of Athirapilly and Vazhachal. This will be enriched with experience and photographs of naturalists and will be released in April 2018.
Chithra, representing the Kattunaykka tribe from Nilambur; Shijil Janardhan of the Malayaraya community in Idukki; Kunjamma of the Muthuvan community; Murugan from Attappady; and Sunil from the Ullada Mahasabha expressed their solidarity with Geetha for her struggle for Athirappilly.
