Tree felling at Mullaperiyar: Tamil Nadu, Kerala officials held joint survey

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More evidence has surfaced to prove that the decision to cut the trees at the baby dam near Mullaperiyar was taken after a joint inspection carried out by the officials from government of Tamil Nadu and forest officials of Kerala.
Not just this, after the joint inspection, the chairman of the supervisory committee had written to the additional chief secretary (water resources) on September 3 in this regard.

However, forest minister A K Saseendran continued to claim ignorance about this joint inspection. “The government was not aware of such an inspection,” he said.
“As decided in the 14th meeting of the supervisory committee, a joint inspection by the officers from Tamil Nadu government and forest officials of Kerala, of the area under Periyar Tiger Reserve was carried out on June 11, 2021 to identify the trees to be cut to enable the Tamil Nadu government to take up the strengthening works of baby dam of Mullaperiyar dam complex,” says the letter written by supervisory committee chairman to the additional chief secretary of Kerala.
The letter also clearly mentions that the Tamil Nadu government officials have provided the details of the 15 trees identified to be removed located downstream of the baby dam which have been forwarded to the deputy director, Periyar Tiger Reserve.
“Also, the proposal to obtain the clearance from Kerala forest department has been submitted online (copy enclosed). I shall be grateful if necessary directions are issued to the forest department for expediting the permission for felling of the trees,” said the chairman in the letter.
This letter has contradicted the statement made by the forest minister in the assembly that there was no joint inspection carried out by the officials of both the state governments in Mullaperiyar dam.
Govt to seek legal opinion:
Meanwhile, the government has sought a legal opinion to find out whether the order allowing Tamil Nadu to cut trees could be scrapped. The government has only kept the order in abeyance now. However, there has been no decision yet on taking action against the officials.
Forest minister A K Saseendran said there will be action against those who have acted against the interest of the state and also against the policies of the government. “Not just NCP, all the LDF constituents have sought action against the officials for putting the government in the dark on this,” he said.
While replying to questions in the assembly on Tuesday, power minister K Krishnankutty who replied on behalf of water resources minister Roshy Augustine, said the government was firm on the demand that a new dam should be constructed at Mullaperiyar.