Nature enthusiasts have condemned felling of a large numbers of native trees, mainly Naatu Karuvelam (Acacia nilotica), from Noyyal river basin tank Sengulam by a private company that had won a contract from Coimbatore Corporation to remove Seemai Karuvelam (Prosopis juliflora).
They said that several nests of birds were also destroyed during the felling by the contractor who, according to them, felled two truck loads of trees from the tank that is part of the Noyyal river system.
With Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) and non-governmental organisations like Kovai Kulangal Padhukappu Amaippu (KKPA) raising objections to the indiscriminate felling on Thursday, the Corporation on Friday imposed a fine of ₹1.27 lakh on the contractor, Mubasira Steels, and seized two trucks and two backhoes.
The firm won the contract to remove Seemai Karuvelam trees from government lands, Corporation lands, tanks and channels in all the five zones of the civic body for a winning bid of ₹24,40,380 at an auction held on October 6.
As per the proceedings fixed by the Corporation Commissioner, Seemai Karuvelam trees alone should be felled under the supervision of a team comprising Assistant Executive Engineer, Assistant Town Planning Officer and Assistant Revenue Officer from respective zones.
It stated that Seemai Karuvelam trees should be uprooted using machines to ensure that they do not sprout again.
Native trees axed, bird nests destroyed: Contractor fined
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