Kozhikode: Forest minister A K Saseendran said that the order to plant Eucalyptus trees in the forest has been frozen. The action comes after ‘Mathrubhumi’ published a news article stating that the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) had been allowed to plant Eucalyptus trees in the forest in violation of the ban placed by the union ministry of forests and environment. 

The minister said that he has sought an explanation from the MD (managing director) of KFDC and has asked for a report from the additional chief secretary of the forest department.

The idea of planting Eucalyptus trees came in the situation when KFDC has been running at a loss. There was negligence in the execution of the order. The government will not take any action against forest policy. The government is committed to implementing the policy, Saseendran said while stating that efforts will be made to eradicate invasive plants including Eucalyptus from the forest.

Earlier, the head of the forest department had demanded the withdrawal of the permission given to KFDC in violation of the national forest policy and the union ministry’s ban. Forest department head Ganga Singh had submitted a report to additional chief secretary K.R Jyothilal citing that the order is illegal and thus cannot be implemented. After Mathrubhumi’s news was published, the chief minister’s office sought a report from the head of the forest department.

The report also recommends seeking the opinion of the union ministry of forests and environment for further clarification regarding the planting of Eucalyptus trees. 

As the order became controversial, a move is on to refer the matter  to the union ministry which in turn would deny permission for the planting.  With this, the current order will become invalid. This is being done so that the government can avoid the embarrassment of withdrawing the sanction it offered to a public enterprise that is led by a constituent party of the leading government.

The report prepared by Pramod G Krishnan, the chief forest conservator was approved by the forest department head and handed over to the government. 

KFDC had earlier approached the union ministry for permission to plant Eucalyptus which was denied. The state-high level committee also denied the permission. Concealing these matters, the corporation issued a letter and obtained permission from the state government. The forest department head also kept silent. Minister A.K Saseendran argued that the state government sanctioned permission because the union ministry allowed it.

It was the steps taken against the national forest policy to avoid planting exotic plants which would adversely affect the natural habitat of the forest, in the wake of the increasing wildlife-human conflict, which became controversial.