THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It was reported that the order issued by the state Forest Department permitting Tamil Nadu to cut down trees in Mullaperiyar was frozen following the intervention of the Chief Minister. However, it is learnt that it was actually postponed.

The order stated, “Keep in abeyance.” This means that the order is being postponed for the time being as it did not get permission from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and the National Wildlife Board. It is becoming clear that this is tantamount to mysteriously giving the green signal to Tamil Nadu’s stance.

Forest Minister AK Saseendran, who had said that neither he nor the Chief Minister knew about the permission, told the Assembly that no order that contradicts the government’s stand shall be sustained.

Meanwhile, details of the second order issued by Forest Department Principal Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha came out.

In addition to the state order, the permission of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and the permission of the National Wildlife Board are required to cut down the trees in the tiger sanctuary. It is said that the reason for the postponement was that it was not clear whether these permits have been obtained for cutting down the tree in front of the Baby Dam. This can be seen as an attempt to establish that there was no lapse on the part of the officials. As per the current situation, Tamil Nadu will be able to cut down trees in front of the Baby Dam if the permissions are obtained from the Centre.

Moves made by high officials

Nov 1: A meeting convened in the chamber of TK Jose, additional chief secretary of Water Resources Department, decided to give permission to the felling of trees.

Nov 5: Four Tamil Nadu ministers led by Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan visited Mullaperoyar on November 5. They demanded permission to cut the trees. On the same day, Chief Wildlife Warden Benichan Thomas issued an order permitting the felling of trees. This was informed to TK Jose and Forest and Wildlife principal secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha.

Nov 6: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin releases a letter thanking Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for permitting the cutting of trees. Later, Forest Minister revealed that he was unaware of the permission given to Tamil Nadu. He then directs the officials to freeze the order.

Nov 7: Forest and Wildlife principal secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha, who was aware of the first order, issued a second order postponing the order by pointing out that permission from the Centre was required.