Concern over illegal felling of trees in the city, over 600 students of private schools gathered near collectorate and raised their voice here on Monday.
Led by convener of Salem Citizen’s Forum, Piyush Sethia, students and teachers, who reached collectorate in 10 school buses, tried to enter the collectorate premises to meet the Collector K. Maharabushanam and express their disappointment over felling of trees for road expansion works. However, police personnel prevented their entry and said only 10 members can be allowed. But members demanded that all be allowed inside to meet the Collector. As permission was denied for their entry, all gathered near Nattamai Kazhagam building and raised slogans that they want to meet Collector. Students held placards that highlighted the need for saving trees and protecting it. After 45 minutes, they left. Addressing reporters, Mr. Piyush said that felling of trees was rampant in the city as official permission was given by the administration. Permission was given for felling trees near Pallapatti Lake and now the State Highways department was permitted to cut 148 trees on Yercaud Main Road, he added. “We demand forming a tree felling monitoring committee which should be informed every time when the administration receives application for felling trees”, he added. Sources said that Collector is willing to meet the students after 5 p.m. and not during their school hours. The Education Department was asked to submit a report on how over 600 students could leave the school during working hours. Things have not gone well with the police too who said that en-masse gathering of students without permission is not acceptable.
Education Department asked to submit report on how over 600 students could leave the school during working hours
