Students’ fervour to plant saplings spells trouble for IIT-M

Blackbucks need open grassland: Care Earth Trust

Two male black bucks grazing inside the IIT Madras campus. File photo: M Karunakaran

The zeal of students at the Indian Institute of Technology – Madras (IIT-M) to plant saplings has inadvertently become a hurdle for the institute. Little did they know that their zest to conserve environment could land their alma-mater in serious legal trouble. Or, trees could spell doom for the blackbucks, one of the species the IIT-M houses.

During the 1980s, students began to plant saplings to commemorate an achievement, sometimes a retirement or graduation. But, the trees affected the safety of the blackbucks. Concerned over the alarming fall in their population, the institute sought help from Care Earth Trust. It found that blackbucks needed open grassland and suggested clearing an area for the animals. Now, their population has bounced back, according to the Trust’s report.

For over six months now, the institute, which has around 8,000 students and faculty, has been trying to complete the construction of much-needed hostels. The institute, however, does not have enough accommodation or offices for the students and staff.

Problems have compounded as the institute is fighting a legal battle in the National Green Tribunal for allegedly cutting trees indiscriminately and for non-compliance with Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority norms.

One complaint against the institute is that it is housed inside an area declared as forest. But, by a gazette notification, the land apportioned for setting up of the institute was declared ‘disreserved’ with effect from October 25,1961 under Section 24 of the Madras Forest Act, 1882.

A spokesperson of the IIT says the institute has constituted a campus environment committee. The institute is relying on satellite pictures and data to prove that it has preserved the environment. “We inherited this place. Since 1965, the ‘native tree canopy’ had fallen by two percentage points only,” the official says.

The institute has roped in students’ help too. “We hold workshops to design dustbins to protect the monkeys on the campus and use treated water to flush toilets. In the last 10 years, the number of trees is twice the number that has been cut,” the official adds.

Meanwhile, last week, the Tribunal directed the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority to conduct an appraisal meeting in connection with granting of environmental clearance for the construction activity inside the campus. The authority is expected to submit its report by September 10.