Mahogany cut down in the guise of removing tree with rotten roots; tree cutting on CUSAT campus becomes controversial

KALAMASSERY: Protest against illegal felling of mahogany tree in CUSAT campus. A mahogany tree that stood strong was cut yesterday morning under the guise of a Macaranga tree with a decayed root that fell in the wind. Kerala Nature Protection Council President Dr. CM Joy and Secretary L Viswanathan said that the attempt to cut down a second tree was blocked.

They said that the tree was cut without the approval of the committee, which is supposed to give permission to cut down trees that pose a threat to life and property, and demanded that legal action be taken against those who cut the tree. Former KFRI registrar and former district tree committee member Dr. CM Joy filed a complaint with the Forest Conservation Office and CUSAT authorities. In the complaint, he asked for a stop memo on cutting trees and plantation of 10 mahogany trees as compensation. CUSAT's official spokesperson informed that only a leaning tree was cut.