After backlash, Keralam Forest dept withdraws controversial order permitting tree-felling on assigned land

Following widespread criticism, the Keralam Forest Department has withdrawn, within seven days, a circular permitting felling of trees planted by title holders on the holdings assigned to them before January 1, 1977.

Many even compared the order to the infamous Muttil illegal tree-felling case where a large number of valuable trees were reportedly cut down based on a government order, which was withdrawn in three months. Several NGOs had written to the State government seeking withdrawal of the order.

A circular issued by the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) (High Range Circle) on October 8, 2026 had asked the forest officers to consider the application for felling of trees on the assigned land. The department issued the circular after the title holders recently submitted a complaint to the Forest Minister saying they were not permitted to fell the trees planted by them.

The circular permitting the felling of trees, issued by D.K. Vinod Kumar, CCF, High Range Circle, had asked the forest officials concerned to check the status of the holdings while considering the application for felling the trees. The officials were also asked to ensure that the applicants were not put to any hardship and to prevent en-masse felling of trees, which could upset the ecology.

Faced with the criticism that the circular could lead to large-scale felling of trees on assigned land, the CCF came up with another circular cancelling the earlier one.

“The circular was withdrawn as there existed some legal ambiguity over the ownership of trees on assigned land. Hence, the latest order,” said Mr Vinod Kumar.

Even though the cancellation order was issued a week after the original order, the department has not cleared any application for the felling of trees, he added.