THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The forest department chief convened a meeting of forest officials yesterday in the wake of the controversy over the order permitting Tamil Nadu to cut down trees at the Mullaperiyar baby dam. Officials have been directed to seek the permission of top officials, including the forest dept chief, before taking decisions on important issues. Matters that require permission from the government should be brought to the notice of the government through the Chief Forest Officer. When giving directions and orders, the officials should check whether the rules, regulations and existing instructions are being violated. If there are any controversial suggestions, they should also be brought to the notice of the forest department chief. The meeting discussed then circumstances in which the Chief Wildlife Warden issued an order to cut down trees in Mullaperiyar without bringing it to the notice of the forest department chief.