Tree felling in Mullaperiyar: Govt document puts them in a tight spot, permission granted earlier, informs decision to SC

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government's own document in connection with the tree felling order in Mullaperiyar have put them in a tight spot. The note given by the state in the Supreme Court made it clear that the government was aware of everything. The note stated that a decision was taken at the secretary level meeting on September 17 to give permission for the trees to be axed. The note was filed by the state government in the Supreme Court on October 27 through standing council G Prakash. The details of the note submitted in the Supreme Court surfaced at a time when the state government and ministers stood firm in their stand that permission was not granted in tree felling.

The sixth topic on page four is about strengthening the baby dam at Mullaperiyar and felling of trees for it. The Kerala government asserted that the demands of Tamil Nadu to fell trees were approved at the secretary level meeting held on September 17. Kerala had asked Tamil Nadu to apply for permission for tree felling in a prescribed format but they failed to do so. In addition to this note, the state government filed another affidavit in the Supreme Court on November 8. The government made no mention of such issues in it.

Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine reiterated that no decision was taken at any meeting to fell trees. The minister reiterated that a meeting was not convened on November 1. However, the documents that surfaced now show that everything the minister said was a lie.

Many evidences have emerged to refute the government's claim that it did not know about the tree felling and that everything was done by officials. Opposition leader V D Satheesan came forward alleging that everything happened with the knowledge of the chief minister.