Kerala Govt Freezes Order Permitting Tamil Nadu To Fell 15 Trees In Mullaperiyar Reservoir

However, the issue turned into controversy since Kerala has always maintained that its stand is to build a new dam instead of strengthening the Baby Dam in Mullaperiyar reservoir. 

Mullaperiyar Dam (Credit: ANI)

Chennai: The Kerala government on Sunday froze the order providing permission to Tamil Nadu for felling 15 trees for strengthing the baby dam near Mullaperiyar reservoir. The Kerala government froze the decision after facing backlash from the time Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin thanked Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan for giving permission. 

According to a report on PTI, Kerala Forest Minister AK Saseendran informed the media that the order issued by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden due to a lapse. The Minister also said that the order was an "unusual one" and was passed without informing his office or the Irrigation Minister or the Chief Minister’s Office. 

Therefore, the Minister said due to the serious lapse of the Chief Conservator of Forests the order has been frozen. The Minister said, such decisions cannot be taken at a bureaucratic level and hence a probe will be ordered. Based on the probe, necessary action will also be taken, the Minister said. 

On Saturday, Stalin thanked Pinarayi Vijayan government for granting permission to fell 15 trees near Mullaperiyar reservoir. In the message, Stalin said,  Tamil Nadu is committed to taking all steps to strengthen Mullaperiyar Dam and to ensure the safety of people living downstream of the reservoir in Kerala. 

However, the issue turned into controversy since Kerala has always maintained that its stand is to build a new dam instead of strengthening the Baby Dam in Mullaperiyar reservoir. 

Following this, both Congress and BJP opposed the state government and demanded they withdraw the order.