The Forest department has suspended two officials in connection with the massive tree felling at Pazampillichal under the Valara forest range.
According to officials, Deputy Forest Range Officer Siji Muhammed and section forest officer K.M. Lalu attached to the Valara forest section under the Neriamangalam forest range of the Munnar forest division have been suspended. The suspension order issued by Additional Principal Chief Forest Conservator (Administration) P. Pukazenthi on Wednesday said that an inquiry had found that there had been a serious lapse on the part of the officials on duty at the forest station.
The probe report by the Vigilance and Additional Chief Forest Conservator (Intelligence) stated that Anjili, cashew, jackfruit, Mahagani and Vatta trees were felled mainly from occupied land under the possession of early settlers in the Pazampillichal, Padikkappu, Ozhuvathadam and Kanjiraveli areas under the Valara forest section office.
