Kerala government says Tata Tea ''grabbed'' Munnar forest land
05 Jul 2007
Kochi: The Kerala government has filed a counter affidavit in the high court saying that Tata Tea had ''grabbed'' forest land at Munnar. On the previous day the state government launched eviction proceedings against Tata Tea.
The department claimed that its action was well within the act and rules for conservation of nature and its resources.
According to the Land Board Award of 29 March, 1974, about 57,359.14 acres of land was given on lease to Tata Tea. The government alleged that Tata Tea had converted 3,000 acres of land, and that the department wanted to prevent the ''grabbing'' of forestland.
The department also claimed that five forest offences were registered against the company for destruction of trees from the ''shola forest area.'' It was also pointed out that the company held an excess of 2,573.32 acre of fuel plantation at Munnar.
Tata
Tea has been granted time until 12 July to file a reply.