The controversy over eucalyptus planting in Kerala

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The controversy surrounding eucalyptus planting in Kerala highlights the tension between financial imperatives and environmental sustainability. In 2024-2025, the Kerala government allowed the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) to plant eucalyptus trees to bolster its finances. This decision, however, sparked protests from environmentalists concerned about the potential adverse effects on forests, human-animal conflicts, and contradictions with Kerala’s eco-restoration policies.


Background of KFDC and Its Plantations

Establishment: KFDC was established on January 24, 1975, to manage forest resources in Kerala and promote sustainable development through forestry activities.  

Area under KFDC: KFDC manages approximately 7,000 hectares of plantations.  

Key Species Planted:  

Eucalyptus grandis

Acacia auriculiformis 

Acacia mangium

Acacia crassicarpa 

Acacia pycnantha (wattle)  

Alnus nepalensis

Casuarina equisetifolia

Pinus patula

Rotation Ages:  

Eucalyptus: 9 years  

Acacia auriculiformis: 18 years  

Acacia mangium: 7 years  

At the end of each rotation cycle, KFDC harvests and replants these species according to a management plan approved by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Experts assess soil quality, and replanting decisions are made in consultation with the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI). To align with sustainability goals, efforts are underway to convert exotic species plantations to indigenous species, fostering ecological benefits and biodiversity restoration.

The Controversial Government Order

The controversy emerged in 2024 when the Kerala government authorized KFDC to plant eucalyptus trees as a revenue-generation strategy. Environmentalists and social activists quickly opposed the order, arguing that eucalyptus plantations, while economically beneficial, could degrade natural ecosystems and increase human-wildlife conflicts.

In May 2024, the head of the Kerala Forest Force clarified that eucalyptus planting within forest boundaries was prohibited. On May 20, the Kerala government revised the order, restricting the cutting of exotic species like eucalyptus only to KFDC-controlled lands, prohibiting new plantings within forests. This decision aimed to balance financial sustainability with ecological considerations.

The 2021 Eco-Restoration Policy and Conflict with Eucalyptus Plantations

The 2021 Eco-Restoration Policy sought to address several environmental issues, including the proliferation of invasive species and natural forest depletion. A significant objective was to phase out exotic species like eucalyptus, acacia, and wattle by 2024, replacing them with native species that support local wildlife.

One notable example was from 'Chinnakanal', where studies indicated that replacing eucalyptus with native species could provide wild elephants with natural food sources, reducing human-elephant conflicts. Environmentalists argued that allowing eucalyptus plantations in 2024 directly contradicted the state's eco-restoration policy, which aimed to phase out such exotic species. The planting of eucalyptus, they claimed, risked undermining efforts to restore natural habitats and enhance biodiversity.

Why Eucalyptus Is Controversial

Eucalyptus as an Exotic Species

Native to Australia, eucalyptus has spread to many parts of the world due to its fast-growing nature and high biomass production. It is widely adopted by international wood companies and has become essential to the pulp industry. However, eucalyptus has several environmental downsides:  

High Water Consumption: Eucalyptus consumes more water than many other tree species, especially in low rainfall areas, where it competes for water with native plants. This can lead to lower water tables, exacerbating drought conditions.  

Allelopathy: Eucalyptus releases chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants, leading to reduced biodiversity in areas where it is planted.  

Soil Fertility Loss: Eucalyptus can deplete soil fertility, leaving areas barren and less suitable for other species.  

Human-Wildlife Conflicts: Eucalyptus plantations often result in habitat loss for wildlife, forcing animals like elephants to encroach on human settlements in search of food, increasing human-wildlife conflicts.

Economic Importance of Eucalyptus

Despite its environmental downsides, eucalyptus has significant economic benefits:  

Timber and Fuel: Eucalyptus wood is extensively used in building construction, furniture making, fencing, and as fuel in Australia and other regions.  

Paper and Pulp: The bark and wood of eucalyptus are essential in paper and pulp industries, making it an economically valuable tree species.  

Eucalyptus Oil: The leaves contain aromatic oils, widely used in medicines, insect repellents, and cosmetics. Eucalyptus oil has antimicrobial properties and is used in expectorants and inhalants to treat respiratory ailments like asthma and bronchitis. It is also a natural insect repellent and a remedy for sore muscles and joint pain.

Eco-Restoration Efforts in Kerala

Eco-restoration, as defined by the United Nations, involves halting and reversing ecosystem degradation, leading to improved biodiversity and ecosystem services. Kerala has embarked on several eco-restoration projects, aiming to replace exotic plantations with natural forests.

Marayoor Sandal Division, Idukki (2019) 

One of the most successful eco-restoration projects in Kerala occurred in the Marayoor Sandal Division of Idukki district. In 2019, 108 hectares of exotic species like eucalyptus and acacia were cleared, leading to the restoration of active water streams that had been dry for over 30 years. This project, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), showcased the ecological and hydrological benefits of replacing exotic species with native ones.

KFDC’s Eco-Restoration Goals

In line with the 2021 policy, KFDC aims to phase out industrial plantations of eucalyptus, acacia, and wattle by 2024. These will be replaced with natural forests that support wildlife, improve soil fertility, and help restore water cycles.

Why Environmentalists Opposed Eucalyptus Planting in 2024-2025

1. Environmental Impact: Eucalyptus plantations can lead to reduced biodiversity, soil degradation, and water depletion, adversely affecting forest ecosystems.

2. Human-Animal Conflicts: Replacing native vegetation with eucalyptus leaves wild animals like elephants without their natural food sources, causing them to venture into human habitats in search of sustenance.

3. Contradiction with Eco-Restoration Policy: The government’s decision to allow eucalyptus planting appeared to conflict with Kerala’s long-term eco-restoration goals, which prioritized the removal of invasive species and restoration of natural forests.

Conclusion

The controversy over eucalyptus planting in Kerala highlights the complex balance between economic sustainability and environmental conservation. While eucalyptus offers short-term financial benefits for agencies like KFDC, it poses long-term ecological risks, including biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and increased human-animal conflicts. Kerala’s eco-restoration efforts aim to shift away from exotic plantations toward sustainable forestry practices that prioritize ecological health and biodiversity. The revised government order restricting eucalyptus planting to KFDC lands and promoting native species represents a positive step toward achieving these goals.

References

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/the-controversy-over-eucalyptus-planting-in-kerala-explained/article68222800.ece

https://www.studyiq.com/articles/eucalyptus-trees-controversy-in-kerala/?srsltid=AfmBOoosueTg3HmTs4yWLQ5PTiAIfhzL4hRq4Ks9uE--WMndUqpXbcBl

https://ensureias.com/blog/current-affairs/the-controversy-over-eucalyptus-planting-in-kerala

https://currentaffairs.khanglobalstudies.com/the-controversy-over-eucalyptus-planting-in-kerala/

Location: India

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