Order distorted to denude State of its timber wealth: CM

Pinarayi says government order was issued in farmer interest

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said illegal felling of endangered trees in the State in vast numbers recently had resulted from the subversion of a government order intended to help farmers legally harvest timber they had grown on land tracts assigned to them for agriculture. In 2017, political parties of varied hues had agreed that the government should permit farmers to sell timber they had grown on their land. However, they should seek special permission before cutting endangered and valuable species such as rosewood, teak, and sandal. In October 2020, the government issued an order further elaborating the 2017 decision. However, some elements distorted the order to denude Kerala of its timber wealth. They used farmers as a cover for their timber theft. Such persons would face stringent prosecution. However, the government would protect farmers and preserve their interest. The government had impounded the bulk of the poached timber.