The Kerala government is considering setting up a special committee to look into the tangle of plantation-related legal cases in Idukki and surrounding regions.
Industries Minister P Rajeeve, speaking at a review meeting with plantation sector representatives, said the committee would work under the Plantation Directorate and bring together officials from departments like law, revenue, and forest.
While this might be seen as a move to cut through bureaucratic overlaps, how it plays out on the ground—especially in areas like Cardamom Hills, where land classification is a long-standing source of friction—remains to be seen.
One of the main triggers for the new committee seems to be the Forest Department’s claim that the cardamom-growing hills are actually forest land.
A separate meeting has been promised to tackle this particular issue, which continues to unsettle farmers across the high ranges. The outcome could shape the future of plantation ownership and usage rights.
Stany Pothen, chair of the Cardamom Planters Federation, reportedly flagged the lack of coordination between government departments. Forest and revenue authorities often seem to be at odds, creating confusion and leaving farmers caught in the middle.
The minister also met with other plantation groups—from tea, coffee, and rubber sectors—who laid out a familiar list of concerns: low wages, restrictions on building in plantations, steep electricity charges, crop damage without compensation, and red tape around green tea processing.
There’s been some hope that department-level meetings led by the chief minister could push things forward. For instance, construction of dryers and processing units in plantations is currently tangled in rules that the Industries Department is now asking to be revised.
Beyond land and labour issues, wild animal attacks and GST complications are also causing anxiety in plantation belts. The state has reportedly asked the Centre to consider amending related laws.
The government has promised to back cardamom farmer groups that follow better farming practices. However, with no clear criteria mentioned yet, it’s unclear who might qualify for such support or how it will be measured.
