Kalpetta: The State Government has sought legal advice to include the Forest Department watcher in the chargesheet in the Sugandhagiri illegal tree felling case. The investigation team recommended naming watcher Johnson as an accused, as he was present with the other accused during tree cutting activities.

Meanwhile, Ernakkulam DFO Shajna Karim has been transferred to Kasaragod after she was found guilty of laxity in duty. She has been appointed as Social Forestry assistant conservator in her new role. Olavakkod assistant conservator B Ranjith is given the charge of South Wayanad. 

Although Shajna was suspended in the case earlier, the government revoked her suspension within a day. As per the investigation report she was not alert on duty and did not conduct the field inspection effectively. The same was mentioned in her transfer order as well.

It was also noted that the DFO had failed in locating the stumps of the trees that were cut down thus paving the way for their safe transportation. The report also held that it was a grave mistake on her part.

A total of 107 trees were felled illegally from the land allotted to Adivasis under the Cardamom project. The illegal felling was done on the pretext of cutting down the 20 trees for which permission was granted as they posed threat to the houses in the locality.