THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A forest department official has been suspended after the government revoked an order allowing Tamil Nadu to cut down trees in the vicinity of the Mullaperiyar dam. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday evening. Wildlife warden Bennichan Thomas, who issued the controversial order, has been suspended pending further investigation. The action was taken for issuing the order without the knowledge of the Chief Minister and the Forest Minister.

The government has now revoked the earlier frozen order in the wake of the controversy. Wildlife Warden Bennichan Thomas has given permission to Tamil Nadu to cut down 15 trees in the Mullaperiyar Baby Dam. After the government froze the controversial order, the opposition called for its cancellation. The move follows a government assessment that there was a fallout at the official level on the issue. Bennichan Thomas, a PCCF rank, is one of the senior officials in the Forest Department. The Chief Minister directed the Chief Secretary to look into the involvement of other officials in the matter.