The Coimbatore unit of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) has asked the State Government to remove encroachments in forest abutting Coimbatore, survey buildings built near the forest boundary and initiate action wherever there was encroachment.
The party led by State Young Wing Secretary V. Easwaran, District Secretary ‘Guhan Mill’ Senthil and Madukkurai Union Secretary K.K. Velliangiri organised an awareness rally to lay emphasis on the need for protecting Western Ghats.
Mr. Easwaran said that it was necessary to protect Western Ghats because the ecologically sensitive forest was the water source for the city. But in the name of development all the water channels, rivulets, canals were being closed or encroached for construction. And the Government had failed to act.
Within the forest and near the forest boundary, very much with the knowledge of the Government, people were building education institutions, religious establishments and constructing big structures. But the law enforcement authorities did not take action.
This and other forms of encroachment near the forest had led to increase in human-animal conflict, resulting in loss of lives. This continued because the Government had failed to go into the root cause of the problem to provide a solution.
The rally started at Arivoli Nagar in Kovaipudur, passed through Madukkarai Police Station, Marappalam, Ettimadai, Chavady Pudur, Navakkarai and Walayar.
