Teak trees illegally felled in Chalakudy forest division, sold to private firm, says report
A preliminary investigation in Kerala's Chalakudy forest division has uncovered the illegal felling and sale of 273 teak trees. The trees were sold to a private firm at a fraction of their assessed value under the guise of clearing land for a highway project.
Why it matters
This highlights significant administrative lapses and potential corruption in forest management and land acquisition processes for public infrastructure.
Huge teak trees, numbering 273, were illegally sold in the territorial limits of the Chalakudy forest division, according to a preliminary investigation carried out by the Divisional Forest Officer of Flying Squad (Ernakulam). The trees, some over 60 years old, were felled along an 18-km stretch from Vellikulangara Junction to Vettilapala bridge in the division. Trees on private holdings and assigned land were felled and sold cheaply, as per the report.
The article reports on official findings and allegations without taking a partisan stance, focusing on the procedural irregularities.
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