IndiaThe Forest department in Kerala has officially taken over 42.72 hectares of land from the private tea estate company Harrisons Malayalam Limited (HML) in Kolukkumalai, a high-elevation region under the Devikulam Forest Range. This action follows a legal process dating back to 1975, where the Forest department initially seized 210.89 hectares from HML under the Kerala Private Forests (Vesting and Assignment) Act. A legal challenge by HML led to a 1987 High Court ruling that returned 168.72 hectares to the company while allowing the Forest department to retain 42.72 hectares. Despite this ruling, the land remained under HML's possession until recently, when the Forest department, following directives from local authorities, completed the formal takeover after tracing historical documents. The land, which includes rare flora and fauna such as wild elephants and the Nilgiri marten, was previously used for a tent-camping tourism operation that was halted during the takeover. The area is ecologically significant, comprising shola forests, natural grasslands, and eucalyptus plantations.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of the Forest department reclaiming land based on legal precedents and official procedures. It does not overtly favor either the government or the private entity involved, focusing instead on the legal and ecological implications. While the issue involves state
