Illegal tree felling in Chalakudy forest division

Notes

• Illegal felling of 273 teak trees occurred in the Chalakudy forest division, Kerala, along an 18-km stretch from Vellikulangara junction to Vettilapala bridge.
• The trees were felled to clear a pathway for a State hill highway project, with land acquired by the Kerala Road Fund Board.
• The timber was sold to a private firm for ₹8.52 lakh, significantly lower than the assessed value of ₹41.55 lakh determined by the Assistant Conservator of Forest (Social Forestry).
• The Forest Range Officer (Pariyaram) issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for transport under the Kerala Promotion of Tree Growth in Non-Forest Areas Act 2005.
• Legal provisions state that transport passes under the 2005 Act are only valid for trees legally felled by the owner of the holding.
• Trees on assigned land are legally vested with the State government; they cannot be privately sold, and revenue from such trees must be credited to the government.
• Investigations revealed a lack of documentation regarding survey numbers, land status, and tree sale details at the Pariyaram range office and Social Forestry division.
• Official reports recommend recovery proceedings for lost funds and stricter enforcement to prevent illegal felling on forest and revenue lands.