Osai, a Coimbatore-based environment organisation, prevented felling of trees on the campus of the Government Industrial Technical Institute here on Saturday.
K. Syed, Organiser of Osai, told The Hindu that the organisation has prevented felling of two ‘Vagai’ trees, aged over 50 years, immediately after receiving an information from a public.
“In spite of our efforts, huge branches of the trees were felled by those engaged by the ITI management for no valid reasons. Immediately after getting a call from a nature lover, our coordinator K. Gnanaguru rushed to the spot, prevented it from cutting”, he said.
Though ITI management claimed that it had obtained permission, Revenue Divisional Officer and local Tahsildhar denied it. A local revenue inspector rushed to the spot and instructed the authorities to stop cutting forthwith. Revenue authorities said that he ITI management would be fined suitably for felling branches of the trees on Monday.
Oasai had safeguarded over 1,800 trees during its 17-year long journey and did replantation of 78 trees in and around Coimbatore, of these over 50 trees growing well.
“Recently, we saved about 230 trees on Model Road in R.S. Puram. The organisation was also instrumental for replanting over 15,000 saplings on Coimbatore-Mettupalayam road after they were felled for road development”, Mr. Syed said.
Individual or organisation should obtain prior permission from Tahsildar/RDO for cutting trees which were obstructing the development or the existing facilities. Revenue officials should visit the place and should examine the case and take a decision, he added.
Proper permission should be obtained revenue authorities even for transplanting the existing trees from one place to another. Officials should extend material and equipment and transportation facilities for transplanting trees. Besides, they should also provide vermicompost, panchakavaya, organic fertilizers and other inputs, Mr. Syed said.
