Mullaperiyar tree felling: Kerala govt revokes suspension of Bennichan Thomas

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government revoked the suspension of Chief Wildlife Warden Bennichan Thomas on Thursday. He was suspended on November 11 for issuing an order allowing Tamil Nadu to cut trees in the vicinity of the baby dam in Mullaperiyar. The Suspension Review Committee recommended the government to withdraw action.

The committee observed that the trees were not felled though an order was issued. Any further actions on Mullaperiyar must be in consultation with the head of the forest department and the government, the committee told Bennichan.

Tamil Nadu has been asking Kerala to allow cutting trees to strengthen the baby dam. This is against the declared stand of the state for a new dam in Mullaperiyar. When the order became controversial, the government said Bennichan issued the order without consultation with the government. Roshy Augustine claimed that the government didn't convene any meeting related to issuing the order.