States » SouthPosted at: Oct 27 2026 11:57AM


Probe sought into proposed demolition of forest record rooms in NABARD-funded project

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 27 (UNI) ANEC Trust has urged the Kerala Forest Department to order an independent inquiry into alleged procedural and administrative irregularities in a NABARD-funded office building under construction at Aranyabhavan in Olavakkode, Palakkad, citing concerns over a reported proposal to demolish or alter completed record rooms housing thousands of important legal documents.
In a representation to Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests L. Chandrasekhar, the Trust sought an immediate restraint on alterations to the building until the approved project plans, funding conditions and statutory and administrative clearances were verified.
The building was originally sanctioned for the Eastern Circle Office and the Custodian of Vested Forests. However, the Trust alleged that a proposal had been made to accommodate the Wildlife Circle Office in the building, necessitating changes to the existing layout, including the reported demolition of completed record rooms.
It questioned whether the proposed changes had received prior written approval from the competent authorities and NABARD, and whether they were consistent with the original project sanction and conditions governing the utilisation of public funds.
The representation said the record rooms were intended to preserve more than 3,000 historical and current case files relating to vested forests, including documents associated with proceedings before Forest Tribunals, the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court dating back to 1974.
Warning that the loss or improper handling of these documents could affect ongoing and future litigation, the Trust stressed the need to protect the records and ensure adequate storage facilities before any office relocation or modification of the building.
The Trust also alleged that the contractor had been verbally informed about the proposed changes, while the necessary approvals from the Head of Forest Force and financial authorities had not been established in the records available to it. It called for verification of all instructions issued to the contractor and the approvals obtained from the competent authorities.
Another issue raised in the representation was a potential conflict of interest arising from the reported marital relationship between the Chief Conservators of Forests heading the Eastern and Wildlife circles. The Trust sought an examination of the decision-making process and compliance with applicable conduct rules and administrative safeguards.
It emphasised that the allegations should be examined impartially and that no finding of misconduct should be presumed before the relevant documents and explanations were considered.
Questioning the need for additional space, the Trust cited the reported staff strength of around 40 permanent employees in the Eastern Circle Office and 15 in the Wildlife Circle Office. It sought an objective assessment of accommodation requirements, alternative facilities and the possibility of rearranging existing space before modifying the sanctioned design.
The representation also noted that the existing record room was reportedly in a dilapidated and leaking condition, underlining the need for secure and accessible storage of documents during any transition.
The Trust has called for an inquiry under the supervision of the Head of Forest Force or the Forest Department's Vigilance Wing, preferably by an officer or committee senior to and independent of the two Circle Heads.
It sought scrutiny of the administrative sanction, approved plan and estimate, tender documents, site records, measurement books, contractor communications and related correspondence. It also requested confidentiality and protection for subordinate staff and potential witnesses against retaliation, harassment or coercive transfers for cooperating with the inquiry.
The representation has been marked to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, the Forest Department's Vigilance Wing, the Kerala Government and the NABARD Kerala Regional Office, among other authorities.
The Trust said responsibility should be fixed if violations were established and that the matter should be referred to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau or the police wherever specific offences were identified.
Represented by advocate Santhosh T S, ANEC Trust said the issue concerned not merely office accommodation but also adherence to public funding conditions, preservation of government records and accountability in administration. It urged the authorities to intervene before any irreversible changes were made, pending independent verification of the allegations.
UNI DS
Tags: #Probe sought into proposed demolition of forest record rooms in NABARD-funded project
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