Kochi: Bennichan Thomas, the chief wildlife warden who released tree felling order near Baby dam is a close associate of Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and was Special Private Secretary(Officer On Special Duty) to the Congress leader during his term as Forest Officer under UDF rule. The ongoing controversy surrounding Bennichan, involves tree felling order he released with no compliance to law, nor any consultation with the government. Given the stituation, the cabinet meeting held Wednesday decided to revoke the said order and put Bennichan on supension.
The order released by Bennichan allowed for Tamil Nadu to cut 15 trees, shrubs and saplings in the stretch adjoining Baby dam. The Chief Secretary will investigate circumstances surrounding issuance of that order, roles played if any by others in the matter and so forth. The said order, issued without mandated approval from the state and centre, cannot be sustained. Bennichan had released the order in response to application submitted by Water Resources Executive Engineer in Kambam, Tamil Nadu - a sanction that lacks the clearances mandated by central law.
In the writ petition on 22 Jan, 2021 submitted to Supreme Court, Kerala has clarified that approval from the Centre, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and standing committee of the National Wildlife Board are an absolute essential in the regard.
Also, the government’s Rule of Business states it is necessary to consult the state cabinet on any decision that might have bearing on inter-state relations. In the order issued by the wildlife warden, none of these rules have complied for. The tree felling order will be thoroughly examined, said ministers Rosy Augusine and K Kirshnankutty in the Assembly on Wednesday.
