The Keralam Forest Department is in dispute over permission to cut trees

The Keralam Forest Department has been embroiled in a dispute over permission to cut trees on allotted forest land.

The department, which had initiated proceedings against two persons for felling two jackfruit trees, a mango tree and Pathiri trees from a farm located in the Cardamom Hill Reserve in Idukki, subsequently withdrew the proceedings a few weeks ago.

The accused were booked under the Kerala Forest (Prohibition of Cutting of Trees Temporarily or Permanently Assigned) Rules, 1995, on 29 August 2026. The felled trees, which were in the holding of the mother of the first accused, were valued at ₹ 15,607 and ₹ 0,004 and the loss to the Government was estimated at ₹.

Claim

The first accused claimed that the trees were felled to meet the expenses of his elder sister’s treatment and to repair the house. He also claimed to have raised seedlings which did not belong to the category of protected species.

The case was also brought before the first class court in Idukki.

However, after four days of booking the case, the department moved the court to withdraw the proceedings, accepting the accused’s contention that the owner of the farm was not alive and the trees were cut down to get funds to repair the house and meet the medical expenses.

According to official records, the reason for the dismissal was that the hatchets were not listed as a protected species and the accused had no criminal record.

Recent order downloads

Incidentally, the development in the case takes on significance in the wake of the ministry’s recent decision to revoke its order authorizing felling of trees on allotted land. The Hindu reported that the government withdrew the order allowing felling of trees after widespread criticism.

A section of forest officials argued that felling of trees on allotted forest lands should not be allowed unless farms are abolished. Farms that are not abolished should be considered reserve forest and felling trees from such farms is a criminal offence, they argued.

However, there are also objections that trees grown by owners of allocated forest land, which are not included in the list of 10 protected species, can be cut down. Ambiguities regarding the legal status of the company involve both landowners and officials in legal complications, forest officials argued.

CBI probe wanted

Meanwhile, Animals and Nature Ethics Community Trust, Ernakulam, an NGO, has asked the CBI to probe the circular issued by the Chief Conservator of Forests, High Range Circle, Kottayam, on felling of trees and its subsequent withdrawal.

Comparing the contract to the infamous Muttil tree felling case, where hundreds of valuable trees were felled under the guise of a subsequently withdrawn government order, the NGO sought a digital forensic examination of official records and a comprehensive audit of tree felling permits and timber transport in the interim.

Published – 19 October 2026 06:00 IST