Around 1,500 students from Lady Doak College formed a human chain here on Saturday to create awareness of eradication of seemai karuvelam trees. The campaign was organised by the college in the backdrop of a recent order by Madurai Bench of Madras High Court directing Collectors of all districts to ensure that the trees were removed from everywhere.
Advocate Commissioners appointed by the High Court to monitor the implementation of the order in Madurai district -- R. Gandhi, N. Krishnaveni, R. Karunanithi, M. Jerin Mathew and M. Mahaboob Fazil -- also took part in the human chain.
Inaugurating the event, Mr. Gandhi and Ms. Krishnaveni urged the students to spread the message to at least ten residents in their respective localities and encourage public action in the removal of seemai karuvelam .
A. Mercy Pushpalatha, Principal, highlighted the adverse impact of seemai karuvelam on ground table and the environment.
Meanwhile, Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao launched a signature campaign in support of eradication of seemai karuvelam in the district at Mattuthavani and Melur bus stands on Saturday. Highlighting the steps taken by the district administration for the removal of seemai karuvelam , Mr. Rao said that public participation should be encouraged to ensure that the district was freed of the invasive species.
