The
below important article on January 4, 2018 by Shanmughasundaram of “The Times
of India” is reproduced in its entirety. Please read and circulate.
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Tiruvannamalai:
Hundreds of trees along the Girivalam path are facing an inevitable death as
the state highways department has failed to adhere to the rules laid down by
the National Green Tribunal to safeguard the premises.
The
authorities from the department have covered the area around the trees with
concrete, which eventually leads to degradation of the species and slow, but
certain death of the centuries-old tamarind and other tree species along the
14-km stretch.
The
highways department had covered areas around the trees on either side of the
Girivalam path, particularly the stretch of Sonanadhi forest area while taking
up work under the Rs 65 crore Girivalam path widening project, a year ago. The
authorities had also cut down several trees for the project. However, it was
halted following growing protest from environmentalists, social activities and
youngsters, against the felling of trees.
Based
on the reports submitted by the committee after two field inspections, the NGT
passed a final order directing the district administration and the highways department
not to fell trees, maintain 2.5 metre pavements on either side of the Chengam
Road, lay 2 metre paver block pavements on the hillside from Chengam-Girivalam
Road junction upto Anna Arch.
It
also stated that the concrete around the trees should be removed for 1 metre
radius around the tree trees. The order was passed on May 31 last year.
"It is more than seven months since the NGT passed its final order. But
the authorities fail to adhere to the order that also spoke about preserving
the bio-diversity and mass plantation to restore the lost green cover,"
said an activist.
The
NGT took the issue suo motu and constituted a two-member committee, comprising
retired Judge J A K Sampath Kumar and former principal chief conservator of
forest T Sekar, to conduct field inspections
Based
on the reports submitted by the committee after two field inspections, the NGT
passed a final order directing the district administration and the highways
department not to fell trees, maintain 2.5 metre pavements on either side of
the Chengam Road, lay 2 metre paver block pavements on the hillside from
Chengam-Girivalam Road junction upto Anna Arch.
It
also stated that the concrete around the trees should be removed for 1 metre
radius around the tree trees. The order was passed on May 31 last year.
"It is more than seven months since the NGT passed its final order. But
the authorities fail to adhere to the order that also spoke about preserving
the bio-diversity and mass plantation to restore the lost green cover,"
said an activist.
The
trees for a stretch of nearly 300 metres along Griivalam path (Sonanadhi
Reserve forest) are covered with concrete. "It looks like people are
strangulating, squeezing the life out of each and every tree. The officials did
it intentionally to get rid of the trees ," he added.
Several
trees, covered with concrete or debris, have withered. "If the concrete
and debris around the trees not removed at the earliest, the stretch will lose
its green cover," said another.
Nearly
200 trees needed proper care. Of them, 70 to 80 trees are completely enclosed
with cement. They would die soon, if the officials did not act as per the NGT
order, yet another activist said.
Officials
shrugged off the issue saying they would restore earth around the trees at the
end of the project, alleged the activists, and added by the time they complete
the project, half of the trees would wither away.
Senior
official in highways department said they have taken up the work for 2.6 km on
Girivalam path (Kanchi Road stretch) and they have been leaving 1 metre space
around the trees. Once the work is completed, they would take up works in other
areas and remove the concrete around the trees.
