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Certain sections hell-bent on vilifying Forest department: Saseendran
The Hindu
Forest Minister condemns vilification of department, emphasizes dual commitment to human lives and conservation, launches Vanamahotsavam festival.
Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran has condemned alleged efforts by certain groups to vilify the Forest department by exaggerating wildlife conflict statistics.
Launching the week-long ‘Vanamahotsavam’ festival at a programme held at the Forest department headquarters here on Tuesday, Mr. Saseendran expressed concern over the portrayal of the department as adversaries of the people. Highlighting the misrepresentation of data regarding deaths due to human-wildlife conflicts, he pointed out that the lion’s share of such deaths were due to snakebites, amounting to 573 out of 848 deaths between 2016 and 2024.
He underscored the department’s dual commitment to protecting human lives, while also ensuring the conservation of forests and wildlife.
The Minister also acknowledged the dedication of forest guards who risk their lives in performing these duties. Such efforts often go unnoticed, he said.
Mr. Saseendran emphasised the critical role of forest conservation in the context of climate change, while observing the importance of awareness programmes like Vanamahotsavam in sensitising the public.
The week-long programme will include afforestation projects as part of the ongoing ecological restoration drive.
The Minister gave away the Vanamithra award and the award for the best ‘vidyavanam’ on the occasion. He also flagged off new vehicles allotted to the department, and released a coffee table book on the protected forest areas in Kerala.
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The Fast Track Special Court – 1 to try the cases filed under the POCSO Act in the city, on Thursday, issued a summons to former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa to appear before it in person on July 15. This is for framing charges against him in connection with the chargesheet the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed against him for alleged sexual harassment of a 17-year-old girl.
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Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is scheduled to take part in a function in Dharmapuri district on July 11 to launch the expansion of the ‘Makkaludan Mudhalvar’ initiative. He is also scheduled to take part in another function in Tiruvallur district on July 15 to expand the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme.