Forest trespassing charges dropped against retired Indian bishop
George Punnakottil of Kothamangalam had joined a protest against the closure of a public road through a forest in Kerala
Updated: April 21, 2025 11:53 AM GMT
The Church has welcomed a decision by the communist-led government in India’s southern Kerala state to drop charges against an 88-year-old Catholic bishop and 23 others for entering a restricted forest during a march demanding the reopening of a blocked public road.
“We are happy the government announced dropping of charges against our elderly bishop for joining a public protest,” said Vincent Nedungatt, Vicar General of Kothamangalam diocese of Eastern Rite Syro-Malabar Church based in Kerala.
Retired Bishop George Punnakottil of Kothamangalam and others, including elected representatives, were charged with violating forest laws and trespassing on forest land on March 23, along with over 3000 aggrieved local people, mostly farmers.
Father Nedungatt told UCA News on April 21 that the prelate should not have been charged with violation of the law.
“He knew the difficulties and pain of his people, especially farmers, and joined the protest to protect their interests,” he added.
People from different walks of life, including Catholics, condemned the Left Democratic Front government and demanded that it withdraw the charges against the bishop and others.
The government decided to drop the charges at a high-level meeting attended by Law Minister P. Rajeev, Forest Minister A. K. Saseendran and other senior officials on April 16, official sources said.
It also ordered Rajesh Ravindran, the principal chief conservator of forests (forest management), to conduct a comprehensive study into the road dispute and submit his report within three weeks.
The public road, constructed during the British colonial era, was closed for traffic in 2012.
The local farmers protested, saying that the road continues to be the shortest route connecting Aluva town near the western coast to Munnar town in the eastern hills.
It cuts the distance by some 30 kilometers and does not have sharp hikes and slopes.
The forest department refused to reopen the road, saying it passes through 10 kilometers of protected forest and that traffic noise and vehicle pollution may harm the environment and endanger wildlife.
“This road is very important for the local people and for tourists flocking to Munnar, an internationally acclaimed tourist destination,” says Father Nedungatt.
He appreciated the decision to appoint a forest official to study the issue, but said, “We would prefer to have at least a three-member panel to study the real issues confronting the local people.”
Nedungatt said they were not against protecting forests and wild animals, but that should not mean imposing restrictions on local people.
“Farmers confront multiple challenges like transporting their produce and ensuring their own safety and well-being,” the priest said.
Leaders say farmers routinely face charges of violating India’s Wildlife Protection Act 1972, after they protested the government’s failure to protect them from wild animal attacks.
Government data shows 486 people were killed in wild animal attacks between 2019-2024.
During 2023-24 alone, elephants killed at least 22 people, and a tiger mauled to death a person in Kerala. Other wild animal attacks killed 71 people.
