The State Cabinet on Wednesday decided to appoint Bennychan Thomas, Chief Wildlife Warden and a Kerala cadre IFS officer of the 1988 batch, as the Chief Conservator of Forests.
He has the distinction of having served in the Forest department continuously for the past 34 years. Mr. Thomas has served as the DFO in Mankulam, Nilambur, Munnar, Konni and Kottayam, Wildlife Preservation Officer and Eco Development Officer in Thekkady, Field Director of Project Tiger in Kottayam, ABP Conservator and High range Circle CCF, and many other senior positions.
In October 2021, Mr. Thomas had come under a cloud for the controversial order he issued as the Chief Wildlife Warden, allowing Tamil Nadu to fell 15 trees and clear the undergrowth near the baby dam at Mullaperiyar to commence civic work to strengthen the dam.
