Amid fierce opposition, CSI Church comes in strong support of the One Bill

Amid growing anger over the proposed Kerala Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which threatens to escalate into mass protests led by the Catholic Church, the Central Kerala Diocese (CSI) of the Church of South India has taken a contrary stand.

In a joint statement issued on Saturday, Bishop Malayalam Sabu Kosi Cherian and CSI Environmental Advisor Mathew Kosi Punnakad termed the Bill as an important step in protecting the state’s critical ecosystems. They stressed that the law addresses critical issues related to forest conservation and provides a strong framework to mitigate the challenges facing Kerala’s forests. In the statement, the government has been urged to pass the bill and implement it strictly.

“By implementing this law, Kerala can set an example for sustainable forest management and inspire other states and nations to follow suit. Let’s act decisively to protect our forests for the sake of future generations and the sustainability of our planet. Now is the time to act,’ the statement said.

Responding to criticism that the bill gave unchecked powers to forest officials, Bishop Cherian stressed the importance of closing any loopholes that could allow exploitation under the guise of addressing other concerns. “Only a strong legal framework, possibly with heavy fines, will help prevent unbridled attacks on the fragile ecosystem and ensure its protection,” he said.

The stand of the Kottayam-based CSI Diocese marks a sharp departure from the Catholic Church and various political parties in central Travancore. A few days ago, the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) strongly opposed the bill, arguing that it would harm farmers living on the forest fringes.

One of the most controversial provisions of the proposed bill allows any forest officer, not below the rank of beat forest officer, or any police officer to arrest and detain persons suspected of forest crime without the prior order or warrant of a magistrate. It has drawn strong criticism, with two factions of the Catholic Church and the Kerala Congress demanding an inquiry into how the inquiry was passed by the Law Secretary, in clear contradiction with the Supreme Court’s guidelines on arrests and citizens’ rights.