A public interest litigation has been filed before the Kerala High Court seeking an immediate halt to pineapple cultivation at the Athirappilly and Kallal plantation estates, alleging serious ecological risks and violation of forest department directions.
The plea, filed by wildlife activist Angels Nair, contends that the Plantation Corporation of Kerala has continued pineapple cultivation despite a stop memo and objections issued by the Forest Department.
According to the petitioner, the cultivation is being carried out even though the 50-year lease agreement executed between the Forest Department and the Plantation Corporation in 1970 expired six years ago.
The petition alleges that pineapple monoculture involves “heavy use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides” which leach into the Chalakudy river. It further claims that such activity has led to soil erosion, loss of food and fodder sources for wildlife, and an increase in human-wildlife conflict.
Raising concerns about public health and biodiversity, the plea states that pesticide contamination of the Chalakudy river poses a threat to “three million human lives and millions of flora and fauna”.
The petitioner has sought directions to immediately stop the cultivation activities in the plantation areas, citing the alleged ecological damage and non-compliance with forest department orders.
The matter is yet to be taken up for consideration by the High Court.
