Death of hundreds of birds when a tree was cut; Case against contractors

Malappuram: The Forest Department has decided to file a case against the contractors in the incident of the death of many birds while cutting trees for the development of the national highway. More than 100 birds, including chicks and mother birds, died. The incident took place at V.K. Padi in Tirurangadi, Malappuram. The tamarind tree was uprooted using a bulldozer. The vehicle and its driver have been taken into custody.

The preliminary conclusion is that more than fifty baby cormorants belonging to schedule 4 have lost their lives. The case will be registered under the Wildlife Protection Act. The contractor’s move was done without the permission of the forest department. The tree was cut down by violating a directive that trees with bird nests should be felled only after they are gone. The forest department will take detailed statements from local residents.