Muttil tree felling case: Farmers worried after receiving notice to pay fines

KALPETTA: Revenue department has taken steps to recover the loss of rosewood tree in connection with the controversial Muttil tree felling case in Wayanad. Notices have been issued to farmers for illegal felling of rosewood trees in 2020-21. This has put the farmers under concern.

Around 35 farmers in Karinkannikunnu and Vazhavatta areas of Muttil South village have received notices. This will include Roji Augustin, Anto Augustin and Jose Kutty Augustin, the masterminds of tree felling. The revenue department has set the price at three times the value of the cut tree. Many people sold the trees keeping the necessities in mind. Some received only an advance.

Some of the wood traders misled the farmers that the government has permission to cut the rosewood on the revenue Pattayam land. 61 illegal tree felling cases were found in Vythiri taluk and 14 in Sultan Batheri taluk. Out of the two taluks, 186 trees were taken into custody by the Forest Department and transferred to the Kuppadi Forest Department depot in Wayanad. The trees that could not be taken to the depot were cut down. The revenue department had taken KLC cases for illegal cutting of trees and had given notice to the parties and conducted the trial.

Farmer organizations have come forward to protest against the action of the revenue authorities. The CPM Kalpetta Area Committee has decided to hold a march on October 3 in front of Muttil South Village Office.