Tree felling order issued with knowledge of 14 top officials

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The controversial order to axe trees in Mullaperiyar was given with the knowledge of 14 officials including Chief Wildlife Warden Bennichan Thomas, Water Resources Additional Chief Secretary TK Jose, and Forest Principal Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha.

The vital document in the controversial tree felling case at Mullaperiyar is out. The minutes of the secretary-level meet held on September 17 had surfaced now. It is clear from the documents that the secretaries of the forest and water resources department and officials of Tamil Nadu had attended the meet. In the minutes given to Tamil Nadu by additional chief secretary T K Jose, it has been included that the permission for tree felling is under consideration.

Chief wildlife warden Bennichan Thomas was suspended the other day for taking a unilateral decision. The documents mentioned that 25 officials from Kerala and Tamil Nadu held discussions on September 17. It has been accurately registered that cutting 15 trees near the baby dam is under consideration. The forest secretary had assured this in his discussions with Tamil Nadu. It was also informed that permission for the road to Mullaperiyar is also being considered. T K Jose sent the minutes to Tamil Nadu for approval on November 2. Following that, permission was given for cutting trees.