Tata Tea 'grabbed' forest land at Munnar

KOCHI: The Kerala government on Wednesday informed the High Court that Tata Tea had "grabbed" forest land at Munnar.

This submission was made by the state government in a counter-affidavit filed by Munnar's assistant conservator of forest a day after the government launched eviction proceedings against Tata Tea.

The department claimed that its action was well within the law and rules for conserving nature and its resources.

According to the Land Board's award of March 29, 1974, about 57,359.14 acres were given on lease to Tata Tea. The forest department wanted to collect data regarding the extent of land over and above this limit that was alloted to the company, the department said.

The government alleged that Tata Tea had converted3000 acres and the department wanted to prevent the "grabbing" of forest land.
   
The department also complained that five forest offences were registered against the company for destruction of trees in the Shola forest area. It pointed out that an excess of 2573.32 acres of fuel plantation were held by Tata at Munnar.

Justice K M Joseph granted time to the company to file a reply by July 12.