The Kerala High Court has asked the Union government and the state government to respond to a public interest litigation seeking an immediate halt to pineapple cultivation at the Athirappilly and Kallal plantation estates, citing potential ecological damage and rising risks of human-animal conflict.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. noted that the land in question has the “potentiality of a man-animal conflict” and directed the Plantation Corporation of Kerala, which holds the lease for the area, to examine and dispose of a representation opposing the cultivation.
The court also removed state Agriculture Minister P. Prasad from the array of parties in the case and scheduled the matter for further hearing on March 26.
The petition has been filed by wildlife activist Angels Nair, who alleged that pineapple cultivation is continuing despite a stop memo and objections issued by the Forest Department.
According to the petitioner, the Plantation Corporation is carrying out agricultural activity even though the 50-year lease agreement executed between the Forest Department and the corporation in 1970 expired six years ago.
The plea argues that the continuation of monoculture farming in the ecologically sensitive region poses multiple environmental threats.
The petition contends that pineapple monoculture involves intensive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides that could seep into the Chalakudy river.
It further alleges that such cultivation leads to soil erosion, loss of natural food and fodder for wildlife, and increased human-animal encounters.
The plea states that pesticide contamination of the river could affect the health of nearly three million people while also harming flora and fauna in the region.
Taking note of the concerns raised, the High Court sought responses from the Centre and the state and asked the Plantation Corporation to consider the objections submitted against the farming activity.
The case will be taken up again on March 26.
