Eucalyptus plantation owned by KFDC in Munnar | Photo credit: . Special arrangement
In a major boost to the forest department’s ongoing environmental initiatives, the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has mandated the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) to continue felling trees across the state.
The FAC, which operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), has granted the extension to KFDC – a state government undertaking. Officials noted that the KFDC lease covers 7,748,441 hectares in Thiruvananthapuram, Punalur, Achencovil, Ranni, Munnar and Thrissur forest divisions.
Although the lease expired on December 31, 2025, the government recently extended the license for another 25 years. To facilitate this restoration, the MEFCC has approved the continued removal of exotic species such as eucalyptus, wattle and acacia from leased land.
A senior official said that in line with the state’s ecological restoration policy, the corporation has launched a program to replace exotic species with native flora, which aims for complete conversion by 2040. “The Central Government permit will support projects aimed at removing exotic species and returning the land to natural forests,” Mr Francis said. “Once these species are felled, the department will not replant them. Instead, we will allow natural forests to grow, which will ensure the availability of food for wildlife,” he said.
According to Francis, 50% of the 7,748 hectares are currently occupied by exotic species, while 30% are native species.” Ecological restoration has already been completed on 10% of the total area. The ultimate goal is for the entire leased tract to consist of natural growth by 2050,” the official said.
Established in 1975 to manage forests in Kerala, KFDC is owned by the state government (90%) and the central government (10%). Within the leased areas, the company focuses on cultivation activities, long rotation crops and ecotourism initiatives.
Published – 17 March 2026 20:39 IST
