Mystery order shifts forest officer P Dhanesh Kumar on vote counting day

KALPETTA: The origin of a mysterious order issued on May 19 unceremoniously replacing Wayanad Wildlife Warden P. Dhanesh Kumar has become a talking point in the higher echelons of forest department. It was the day when votes were being counted for the Assembly elections.

The move even violated the code of conduct in the state, it was pointed out. Dhanesh Kumar who fell from the good books of the UDF government, was denied any fulltime appointment for almost a year. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, PCCF forest management and the officials of Department of Forest and Wildlife were kept in the dark about the order.

Dhanesh Kumar was instrumental in stopping several granite quarries functioning adjacent to the sanctuary. Another IFS officer from Maharashtra was appointed as the new Wildlife warden. Dhanesh played a key role in restoring thousands of acres forest land kept in the custody of private groups with fake documents to the government in Palakkad district.

On a serious note, the order was issued without the knowledge of top forest officials. A top official told this newspaper that in normal course, such an order would be issued after consulting the top officials concerned. “It is a mystery who issued the order and why it is silent about an appointment for Dhanesh Kumar," said the official who preferred anonymity.

However, the Greens in Wayanad allege that he was being haunted by the quarry-resort mafia elements for his brave steps against them. Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithy president N. Badusha told this newspaper that the Congress leadership was trying to transfer him for the last many months.

"He was transferred from one post to other for a dozen times and this is the way we treat an official who risked his life to regain thousands of acres of virgin forests illegally occupied by real estate groups," he added.