Activists condemn felling of trees at Race Course

An individual obtained permission from Corpn.

The trees that were felled at Race Course in Coimbatore on Thursday being loaded on to a vehicle. Photo: J. Manoharan

Environmental activists in the city have come out strongly against felling of trees at Race Course here on Thursday.

N.I. Jalaludeen, president of Nature Conservation Society, said that upon receiving information, a team of environmentalists rushed to the spot and questioned the workers. The workers told them that they were cutting the trees based on the order of the Coimbatore Corporation. They also told the environmentalists that they were cutting only the trees that had withered.

He said that inquiries with the Revenue Divisional Officer and Tahsildhar (North) had revealed that they had not given consent for cutting the trees.

However, an individual from Idayarpalayam had obtained permission from the Corporation to cut a total of nine trees.

Mr. Jalaludeen noted that there was a ban on felling trees within the city limits following an announcement by Mayor S.M. Velusamy to plant saplings in schools, roadsides and homes.

However, this move now is causing worries among the environmentalists who fear that thousands of birds might lose their habitat if the felling of trees continues.