The Kerala Forest Department has registered a case under the Wildlife Protection Act over the incident in which several birds were killed when trees were cut for the development of a national highway at VK Padi near Edavanna in Malappuram district on Wednesday.

The Public Works Department has also stepped in, with Minister P A Mohammed Riyas seeking a report from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

The incident came to light after TV channels on Thursday aired a video showing many birds falling to death as a huge tree in which they were dwelling was cut down using a JCB. The JCB and its driver, the man who cut the tree, and the contractor who was awarded the work were taken into custody.

Forest officials visited the spot and recorded the statement of the local people. Nilambur North Divisional Forest Officer said further probe would be conducted and strict action would be taken against those responsible for the act.

Many birds, mainly cormorants belonging to Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, were killed, reports said. All kinds of cormorants, known as ‘neerkkakka’ in Malayalam, are protected species and any harmful act against the birds are punishable offence. Describing the incident as a cruel act, Forest Minister AK Saseendran said this was done without the permission of his department and flouting clear instructions from the department.

The minister said the forest department has strictly instructed that trees with birds and nests should not be cut until they are gone.

Public Works Minister Riyas has sought an explanation from the NHAI as the road work is carried out by the central agency. The minister demanded that necessary action be taken against the contractor responsible for the incident.