Tree felling: Department level report in favour of Bennichan Thomas

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Forest Department has submitted an inquiry report in favour of Chief Wildlife Warden Bennichen Thomas in the controversy over giving permission to Tamil Nadu to cut down 15 trees near Mullaperiyar Baby Dam. As per the report, Bennichan gave the permission as per the decision of the meeting chaired by the Deputy Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department. The Forest Principal Secretary handed over the report to the government ahead of a meeting of the committee to select the new forest chief on the 20th of this month.

If PK Keshavan, the chief of the forest department, retires on May 30th, then Bennichan Thomas will become the most senior IFS officer. Bennichan can be considered on the list to find a new forest chief only if the report is approved and Bennichan is acquitted.

On November 1, 2021, Benichan Thomas gave permission to Tamil Nadu to cut down trees to strengthen the Baby Dam at Mullaperiyar. The incident came to light only when Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin sent a letter thanking Kerala for this. He was subsequently suspended by the government. Although the suspension was later withdrawn, the government ordered a departmental inquiry into the incident.