With the work to remove seemai karuvelam trees under way, Principal District Judge S. Ananthi on Tuesday said 25% of the invasive species have been cleared so far across the district.
In Vellore district, seemai karuvelam trees have been identified on a total of 16,000 acres of land, she told reporters.
Following an order of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, work to remove the invasive trees species have been taken up across the State.
She observed that it might take at least a year to complete the work in the district.
“Lawyers and social service organisations have joined hands in the work to remove seemai karuvelam trees. The Vellore Bar Association is starting work from Monday to remove the trees from the Palar riverbed from Collectorate to Rangapuram,” she said.
Lakes cleared
She added that two to three lakes have been cleared of the trees in Walajah.
“Work to remove the trees from Ananthalai Eri, which is 60 acres, and Govindacherikuppam, which is 15 acres, will commence on Wednesday. The Walajah Bar Association is contributing ₹1 lakh for the work to remove the trees,” she said.
Ms. Ananthi, along with Collector S.A. Raman, inspected the work at Alamelumangapuram Eri on Tuesday morning. She mentioned that women lawyers and Lions Club had started the works 15 days ago.
She pointed out that 25% of trees have been removed, particularly from waterbodies, in the district. Already, the work had been completed at Pinji Eri in Ranipet and trees planted.
Work was under way at Sadupperi, and also at Nelvoyal Eri, which is spread for 40 acres.
She added that notices were served on owners of private lands through the Vellore Corporation asking them to remove seemai karuvelam trees from their lands.
“If they fail to do so, a fine of ₹5,000 will be imposed. The village administrative officer and tahsildars are identifying patta lands,” she said.
Ms. Ananthi said that there needs to be more awareness on the bank account opened by the Collector for the purpose of receiving contributions to take up the work.
“From the court, we have contributed ₹20,000.
The judges have given ₹10,000 and the district portfolio judge had given ₹10,000,” she added.
More awareness
She urged the public and students to support the initiative, and that the trees should be uprooted completely.
“The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department should remove the trees from temple lands, while the Railways should clear their lands and the Highways Department has taken up work. More work is needed to be done on private lands,” she said.
She lauded the Revenue Department for extending their cooperation for the work.
