THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has granted permission to Tamil Nadu to cut down 15 trees downstream of the Baby Dam at Mullaperiyar reservoir. It was the forest department that granted permission to cut the trees. Following this, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin thanked Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for granting permission.

”This long-pending request was crucial to strengthen the Baby Dam and Earthern Dam and this permission would enable us to initiate steps for strengthening these structures. On behalf of my Government and the people of the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, I thank you and the Government of Kerala for this permission. This would go a long way in benefitting the people of both states and I sincerely hope that this spirit of cooperation between our states continues,” Stalin said.

Tamil Nadu had demanded that the trees should be cut down to strengthen the dam. In his letter, Stalin said that efforts would be intensified to strengthen the Mullaperiyar Dam. He also said that Tamil Nadu will take steps to ensure the safety of the people of Kerala downstream of the dam.