Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala state government has officially nullified the order which allowed Tamil Nadu to cut 15 trees in Mullaperiyar reservoir. An official order regarding this was issued on Thursday. Chief wildlife warden Bennichan Thomas who issued the controversial order has been suspended from service, mentioned the order.

On Wednesday, the state government revoked the order as per the decision taken in the cabinet meeting. The cabinet directed forest department principal secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha to take necessary action to nullify the order. As per this, a new order was issued on Thursday.

The government have found that the acts of Bennichan Thomas prima facie amount to official misconduct and violation of All India Service Rules, 1968 and therefore consider it necessary to place him under suspension against contemplation disciplinary action against him, reads the official order.

The development comes in the wake of the ruling LDF facing flak, mainly from Opposition Congress over the issue after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin earlier thanked Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for his government allowing felling of the trees.

It is reported that the official had issued the order without consulting the Chief Minister or the forest minister.