Environmental collective writes to Congress leadership against ‘anti-environmental actions’ by party MPs, MLAs in Kerala

Coexistence Collective, a broad coalition of environmental organisations, wildlife conservationists, researchers, scientists and civil society groups, has written to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) against “anti-environmental” actions and statements allegedly made by the party’s MPs and MLAs in Kerala.

In the letter jointly signed by environmentalists, including M.N. Jayachandran, N. Badusha, Veena Maruthoor and K.A. Sulaiman, the collective alleges that some Congress leaders are attempting to undermine forest, wildlife and environmental protection, and such actions have intensified since the United Democratic Front came into power in Kerala.

It accuses Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose of supporting forest encroachers, poachers and tourism interests accused of violating environmental laws in Idukki. The group alleged that the MP visited an accused in a wild elephant poaching case at the Muvattupuzha Sub Jail, and exerted pressure on the Forest Department to withdraw the case.

The activists also claim that he has publicly advocated that people have the right to shoot and kill Schedule I wild animals, including elephants and tigers which enter areas outside forests, and that the government should not intervene. Such statements encourage wildlife crime, forest encroachment and illegal hunting, the collective cautioned.

The letter also refers to Udumbanchola MLA Senapathy Venu, alleging that he announced plans to relocate all elephants from the Chinnakanal reserve forest, despite the Forest Minister reportedly describing such a proposal as impractical. The collective also mentions Thrikaripur MLA Sandeep Warrier, who demanded in the Kerala Legislative Assembly that wild elephants be captured and handed over to temples.

Such positions contradict the Congress’ long-standing policies and environmental legacy, the signatories stated.