Mullaperiyar dam break affected districts, The state government said on Wednesday that forest department officials from Kerala and Tamil Nadu simultaneously inspected the Mullaperiyar dam project on June 11 as recommended by the Highest Court in the land supervisory body in a meeting in February 2021, contradicting its prior claim.
It further stated that on October 30, 2021, the forestry department granted permission to fell 15 trees based on a formal online process from Tamil Nadu and a note from the acting director of the Periyar wildlife sanctuary (east division).
In the assembly, power ministry K Krishnankutty made these remarks in response to a submission made in favor of river basin minister Roshy Augustine by opposition leader VD Satheesan. Earlier before the parliament, Forest Minister AK Saseendran stated there was no joint examination in Mullaperiyar and that the license for tree felling was provided without the awareness of the leadership.
The quality professionals had directed the water resources ministry to make the appropriate arrangements for the joint investigation of the dam site, according to Krishnankutty. TK Jose, the state’s order to meet the current secretaries, is the state’s representative on the council.
In another session on September 17, 2021, it was noted that Tamil Nadu had requested permission to cut 15 trees rather than 23, and the subject is currently being considered by the forest areas and wildlife department, according to the minister. In addition, on September 3, 2021, the supervisory chairman of the committee issued a letter to the additional chief secretary (water resources) stating that a joint examination had been undertaken and 15 trees had been found. It also stated that an application form to fell pines had been submitted and that the procedure should be sped up, he added.
The state had also received a letter from the Union Ministry of Water Resources’ joint secretary, who stated that the earthen dam, baby dam, and ghat road were all vital for the security of the Mullaperiyar dam.
Satheesan claimed that the forest and water resources ministers were giving contradictory responses on the issue and that the decision was made with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan awareness.
“The forest minister deceived the legislature and mocked the people.” Under the chief minister, the extra chief secretary (water resources) concurrently serves as the order to meet the current secretary (home and vigilance). “It is impossible to think that the order was made even without chief minister’s knowledge,” he said, noting that this would jeopardize the state’s call for a new dam in the Supreme Court.