Greens seek reclamation of over 50,000 acres ‘illegally’ possessed by private estate owners in Wayanad

Environmental organizations in Wayanad are calling on the government to take action to reclaim 59,000 acres of land allegedly held illegally by private estate owners. A ruling from the Supreme Court in 2019 determined that these plantations, originally owned by the British, belong to the government. Despite efforts by the Land Resumption Officer to reclaim the land, progress has been slow. There are concerns that some estate owners are engaging in illegal activities like tree cutting and land sales. Environmentalists are urging the government to halt these activities and take action to protect the land.