Forest Crimes: Court Demands Action Report

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court is demanding a report from the state forest department concerning the infrequent application of the Goondas Act against individuals involved in forest and wildlife crimes. This action stems from a public interest litigation that flagged the low number of detentions under the Act for such offenses.

The petitioner, an advocate, has urged for stronger implementation of the 'forest offender' provisions within the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act, 1982. These provisions are intended to deter organized groups and habitual offenders engaged in illegal tree felling, timber smuggling, poaching, and other destructive activities affecting the state's natural resources.

Evidence presented includes instances of sea cucumber smuggling in Rameswaram and the seizure of elephant tusks near Sivakasi. The plea also pointed out that between 2009 and 2019, a mere 26 individuals were detained as forest offenders, contrasting sharply with detentions under other categories of the Act, underscoring the need for stricter enforcement.