In a significant move, the Kerala State government is set to reduce the long-held powers of its forest watchers, specifically their ability to arrest individuals involved in forest-related offenses – an authority they have exercised since 1961.
This pivotal decision came from the Assembly’s Subject Committee on Forest, Environment, and Tourism during its recent review of the Kerala Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran highlighted that the original provision granting these powers was established 64 years ago, under the leadership of then-Chief Minister Pattom A. Thanu Pillai. For decades, forest watchers have been crucial in directly addressing and apprehending those violating forest laws.
However, this proposed revocation of arrest authority has triggered strong disapproval among Forest Department officials. They fear that such a change could significantly undermine the effectiveness of frontline efforts to protect the state’s precious forests, as noted by the Minister.
This contentious alteration is part of a broader amendment bill designed to update official designations within the department, reflecting administrative changes accumulated over the years.
Interestingly, the Bill itself doesn’t directly propose this power reduction. Instead, it was during the Bill’s introduction in the House that several Opposition legislators voiced concerns about the extensive powers held by forest watchers and raised questions about their potential for misuse, prompting the committee’s decision.