Forest Department withdraws case against farmer over tree felling on ‘patta’ land

The Forest Department has withdrawn a case registered against a farmer for cutting trees on his ‘patta’ land in Pandippara, Idukki.

The case, registered at the Kattappana section office under the Ayyappancoil forest range, had attracted attention after forest officials booked Chackochan for cutting trees from his own land.

The farmer had cut two jackfruit trees, a mango tree and a ‘pathiri’ (yellow trumpet tree) from his property. The Forest Department assessed the alleged loss at ₹4,000. Timber valued at ₹15,607 and tools worth ₹2,200 were also seized during the proceedings.

Under the Kerala Land Assignment Special Rules, 1993, the department is legally empowered to initiate action for cutting only those specified tree species that are covered by the Kerala Preservation of Trees Act, 1986. The ten species covered by the provisions are sandalwood, teak, rosewood, irul, thempavu, kampakam, chempakam, dhaman (chadachi), red cedar (chandana vembu) and cheeni.

Following the intervention of Forest Minister Shibu Baby John, the department withdrew the case. The Minister also directed officials to return the seized timber and tools to the landowner.