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COIMBATORE: Giving a new twist to the ongoing war of words between the city corporation and green activists over felling of trees for road widening works, mayor SMVelusamy on Friday passed a special resolution in the corporation council to initiate criminal proceedings against NGOs who stop tree felling to facilitate development works. The resolution comes a day after a city court issued a stay against felling to widen Marudhamalai Road.
The resolution said the permission of the collector, who is chairman of the tree protection committee, and revenue divisional officer, is acquired before city trees are cut. But certain NGOs take the law into their own hands and stop authorities from carrying out developmental activities. The resolution empowered the corporation to approach the police and take action against NGOs.
"Certain NGOs don't practice what they advocate. They don't even take care of plants and trees at their premises. They should set an example for others. They should not take the law in their hands. Instead they can approach relevant authorities to resolve issues," said Velusamy.
The mayor said it was mandatory to cut trees on Marudhamalai Road. "We have told the NGOs to approach higher authorities to put forth their grievances, instead of forcibly stopping felling activities. We are prepared to answer any questions that the public have. NGOs have vested interests. Also, we will plant saplings for every tree cut," he said.
Corporation deputy opposition leader and DMK councillor of ward 61 SM Samy said, "Sometimes, trees need to be cut for developmental works. However, since the corporation has substantial reserve sites in the city, they plant 50 trees for every one cut. They need to plant more than they cut."
"We are shocked about the resolution which threatens our green cover. We are not gangsters. There is no reason to put us in jail. I am yet to see a copy of the resolution. I will decide on how to proceed in the next three to four days," said R Karpagam of Oli Awareness Movement, a petitioner in the Marudhamalai Road tree cutting case.
Another activist, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "We are not against development. The Marudhamalai Road definitely needs to be four-laned. But all we are asking is for a relook into the number of trees that need to be cut. We want authorities to see if some can be saved. On Mettupalayam Road, Avinashi Road and Tiruchi Road, many tree stumps stand on pavements. These trees need not have been cut at all."
The resolution said the permission of the collector, who is chairman of the tree protection committee, and revenue divisional officer, is acquired before city trees are cut. But certain NGOs take the law into their own hands and stop authorities from carrying out developmental activities. The resolution empowered the corporation to approach the police and take action against NGOs.
"Certain NGOs don't practice what they advocate. They don't even take care of plants and trees at their premises. They should set an example for others. They should not take the law in their hands. Instead they can approach relevant authorities to resolve issues," said Velusamy.
The mayor said it was mandatory to cut trees on Marudhamalai Road. "We have told the NGOs to approach higher authorities to put forth their grievances, instead of forcibly stopping felling activities. We are prepared to answer any questions that the public have. NGOs have vested interests. Also, we will plant saplings for every tree cut," he said.
Corporation deputy opposition leader and DMK councillor of ward 61 SM Samy said, "Sometimes, trees need to be cut for developmental works. However, since the corporation has substantial reserve sites in the city, they plant 50 trees for every one cut. They need to plant more than they cut."
"We are shocked about the resolution which threatens our green cover. We are not gangsters. There is no reason to put us in jail. I am yet to see a copy of the resolution. I will decide on how to proceed in the next three to four days," said R Karpagam of Oli Awareness Movement, a petitioner in the Marudhamalai Road tree cutting case.
Another activist, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "We are not against development. The Marudhamalai Road definitely needs to be four-laned. But all we are asking is for a relook into the number of trees that need to be cut. We want authorities to see if some can be saved. On Mettupalayam Road, Avinashi Road and Tiruchi Road, many tree stumps stand on pavements. These trees need not have been cut at all."
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