273 aged teak trees illegally felled in Chalakudy, sold at fraction of value: report
A preliminary investigation by the Divisional Forest Officer of the Flying Squad in Ernakulam has revealed the illegal felling and sale of 273 teak trees in the Chalakudy forest division, Kerala. The trees, some over 60 years old, were cut along an 18-km stretch from Vellikulangara Junction to Vettilapala bridge, reportedly to clear the path for the State Hill Highway.
According to the report, the trees on private holdings and assigned land were sold to a Thiruvananthapuram-based wood industries firm for ₹8.52 lakh. This is significantly below the assessed value of ₹41.55 lakh fixed by the Assistant Conservator of Forest (Social Forestry), Thrissur. The actual value could be even higher, pending a detailed assessment.
The Kerala Road Fund Board had acquired the land along the road stretch for the highway project. The Forest Range Officer of Pariyaram issued a No Objection Certificate under the Kerala Promotion of Tree Growth in Non-Forest Areas Act, 2005, allowing the firm to transport the felled trees. However, the Act specifies that a transport pass should only be issued for trees legally felled by the owner of the holding. The report questions the circumstances under which officials permitted the firm to cut and transport the trees.
Furthermore, no files regarding the holdings acquired for the project—survey numbers, status, or details of trees sold and to be felled—were maintained at the Pariyaram Forest range office or the Social Forestry, Thrissur Division. The department has approached revenue officials to obtain the relevant details.
Another report by the Additional Principal Chief Forest Conservator (Vigilance and Forest Intelligence) noted that trees on assigned land cannot be illegally cut, sold, or transported, as their ownership vests with the State government. Such trees should be transported to the department's timber depot and sold, with the revenue credited to the government account.
The report recommends recovering the lost amount and ensuring that no further illegal felling occurs on forest or revenue land. It also highlights that the next stretches of the proposed highway pass through a reserve forest area, requiring permission from the Union Ministry before construction can begin.
