Politics · India Bureau
Forest Minister flags scrutiny of tree-felling order by ex-Kerala Chief Secretary
Kerala's Forest Minister has indicated that circumstances surrounding a controversial tree-felling directive issued by former Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak are under examination, including the possibility of coordinated action. The minister noted that concerns raised by officials from both Revenue and Forest departments were particularly significant.
LSN India ·
The circumstances surrounding a tree-felling order issued by former Kerala Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak have come under renewed scrutiny, with the state's Forest Minister emphasizing the need to examine the backdrop of the directive.
The minister indicated that the case warrants careful investigation, pointing to the significance of objections raised by officials from the Revenue and Forest departments. According to the minister, these concerns from multiple administrative quarters suggest the matter may warrant closer examination of the decision-making process.
The minister also flagged the possibility of a conspiracy underlying the order, suggesting that the convergence of actions across departments merits investigation. Officials' reservations about the tree-felling authorization have added weight to questions about how the directive was formulated and approved.
The Muttil tree-felling case has drawn attention to administrative processes governing environmental decisions in the state. With multiple departments reportedly expressing concerns, the case has become a focal point for examining accountability in high-level administrative orders affecting forest resources.