One step too far

Madras High Court's decision to ban cattle grazing in Tamil Nadu's forests will have far-reaching impacts on forest-dwelling communities and natural biodiversity

- SHUCHITA JHA

GREAT INTENTIONS often fail to yield positive outcomes when delivered without careful thought. This is what several conservationists in Tamil Nadu fear after the Madras High Court in its recent order has restricted cattle grazing in the state's protected forest areas. They say the order will not only deprive local communities of their livelihood but also risk overriding laws that protect their interests, while endangering forest health.

The court order was in response to a public interest petition by a Thirvadanai-based lawyer G Thirumurugan in July 2020. The petitioner sought a ban on grazing in Megamalai wildlife division (which includes a sanctuary) and the Theni forest division of Theni district, alleging destruction of grasslands and a threat of the catа tle transmitting diseases to wild animals. On March 4 this year, the court expanded the scope of the petition and banned grazing in the entire 22,877 sq km of recorded forest area in the state, under provisions related to restricted entry in sanctuaries under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and on cattle trespass under the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882.

The decision angered pastoralists and cattle farmers across the state, who staged protests on March 15. Two days later, the court revised its order and limited the ban to 8,102 sq km of protected forest areas after amicus curie T Mohan cited that Section 16 of the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882 states “the auth ities may be permitted to allow cattle grazing rights.”

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