Massive tree felling reported from Cardamom Hill Reserve land in Idukki

Large-scale tree felling has been reported from the Cardamom Hill Reserve (CHR) area at Pethotty in Santhanpara in Idukki district.

According to sources, trees were cut recently under the guise of cardamom replanting. Around 440 trees were cut from the plots. According to Forest department sources, there is no permission to fell trees from the CHR lands.

Congress district vice-president Arun K.S. alleged that under the guise of shade cutting in cardamom plantations, large-scale tree felling was continuing in the CHR area in Udumbanchola taluk. “From the plot concerned, hundreds of trees were cut. The massive tree felling was conducted with the support of Forest department officials,” alleged Mr. Arun.

According to sources, the massive tree felling was conducted on the plots situated close to the Mathikettan Shola National Park. The Pethotty area had witnessed a landslide around one and a half years ago.

Case against landowner

According to Devikulam Range Officer Akhil Babu, the Forest department has already booked a case against the landowner for illegal tree felling. “The land is owned by Tamil Nadu residents and the tree was felled by a man who took the land on lease. The Forest department has already attached two earthmovers and a multi utility vehicle (MUV) used for the illegal felling of trees and transporting them,” said the official, adding that the trees cut were small and the wood was of low quality.