President of  District Timber Merchants’ Association, K.G. Harish  flayed the former Conservator of Forests, Kodagu Circle, for issuing an advisory to the DC, Kodagu stating that permission not be granted to fell trees in coffee estates. K.G. Harish further stated that the above advisory was ill timed and impractical. Harish alleged that a few forest officials were involved in timber smuggling in the  district. Association General Secretary N.M. Kuttappa and others were present.