NGT Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Illegal Teak Felling in Kerala's Chalakudy

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has initiated suo motu proceedings over the illegal felling and sale of teak trees in Chalakudy, Kerala, reportedly to clear a path for the state hill highway.

The Principal Bench of the NGT, comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad, took cognisance of a news report published on June 22, 2026, which highlighted the felling of over 200 teak trees. The Bench noted that the report raised “substantial issues relating to compliance with environmental norms and implementation of the provisions” of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

A preliminary investigation by the Divisional Forest Officer of the Flying Squad (Ernakulam) found that the trees were felled along an 18-kilometre stretch from Vellikulangara Junction to Vettila Pala bridge. The timber was sold for ₹8.52 lakh, against the assessed value of ₹41.55 lakh fixed by the Assistant Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry), Thrissur.

The Forest Range Officer (Pariyaram) had issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for transporting the felled trees under the Kerala Promotion of Tree Growth in Non-Forest Areas Act, 2005. However, the Act specifies that a transport pass shall only be issued for legally felled trees from the owner’s holding. The circumstances under which officials permitted the timber firm to axe and transport the trees require investigation, the report suggested.

The NGT has impleaded the Head of Forest Force, Kerala; the Chief Conservator of Forests, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Integrated Regional Office, Bengaluru; and the Member Secretary, Department of Environment and Forest, Kerala, as respondents. They have been directed to file affidavits before the Southern Zonal Bench of the Tribunal.

The matter has been transferred to the Southern Zonal Bench in Chennai for further action, with the next hearing scheduled for August 31, 2026.