Tree Protection Committee meet

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Green enthusiasts to knock on CM's doors to end tree felling

Representatives of various organisations involved in nature conservation on Sunday conducted a meeting at Hotel Tamil Nadu in the city to decide on the future course of action, in the wake of the Corporation Council resolving to initiate criminal action against those who oppose felling of trees for carrying out development works. Photo: S. Siva Saravanan

Massive rally planned in protest against the civic body's resolution seeking legal action against those who oppose cutting trees

A meeting of nature conservation groups and green enthusiasts on Sunday resolved to write to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa expressing their anguish over a resolution passed by the civic body seeking legal action against those who oppose tree cutting. The meeting also resolved to seek an appointment with the Chief Minister.

Representatives from Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore, Siruthuli, Osai, Oli, Environment Conservation Group, CODISSIA, Nature Conservation Group, Pasumpulari, Sai Baba Colony Residents' Association, Nilgiris Wildlife and Environment Association and a host of others took part in the meeting.

K. Kalidasan of Osai told The Hindu that the meeting termed a resolution of the civic body ‘very unfortunate' as it tries to brand nature enthusiasts as a group opposed to development works.

The civic body had recently passed a resolution seeking legal action against those fighting for the survival of the remaining green patches.

He added that nature enthusiasts are not against development works and such an image was being created so as to turn the public ire against them. “We want the administration and the civic body to only explore ways and means to spare trees while carrying out development works”, Mr. Kalidasan said.

Letter

It was decided at the meeting to first write to the Chief Minister to draw her attention towards the need for saving trees especially when her Government has embarked on a massive afforestation programme.

The letter would also explain in detail the protests carried out in the recent times and the tone and tenor of the civic body's resolution, which was almost an attempt to indulge in arm twisting and intimidation, Mr. Kalidasan said. The letter would also seek an appointment with the Chief Minister to explain the recent incidents of tree cutting and the background behind the civic body's resolution.

All associations have decided to join hands and take out a rally in protest against the resolution.

To prevent incidents of nature enthusiasts being intimidated and recent incidents of arm twisting, it was also decided to explore ways for getting a legal insulation. The resolutions passed at the meeting on Sunday will translate into action within the next 10 days, he added.

Lawyer M. Venilla, who represented the NGOs before the Principal District Munsiff Court for obtaining a stay against tree cutting on Marudhamalai Road, has asked the citizens of Coimbatore to turn up on Monday and implead themselves in the case so as to strengthen the cause.

C.R. Jayaprakash, Executive Committee Member of Nilgiris Wildlife and Environment Association, said that these attempts should be opposed tooth and nail and should not be seen as an attempt to dilute the role and responsibilities of the Tree Protection Committee.

He added that the Tree Protection Committee should seek legal recourse to prevent loss of greenery.