Accused directed to remove karuvelam trees for bail

In an unusual bail condition, an assault case accused was today ordered by a court here to remove 100 'karuvelam' (prosopis) trees, considered harmful to the ecosystem.
The order comes amid action being taken by officials to remove the invasive species trees in 13 southern districts of Tamil Nadu following a Madras High Court directive in December last.
Principal District and Sessions Judge A K A Rahman directed Rajeswaran, arrested for allegedly beating up a woman during a quarrel involving his wife, to remove the trees within 20 days.
The accused was also asked to obtain a certificate from the local Village Administrative Officer (VAO) confirming that the bail condition has been complied with.

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has ordered the removal of the trees and other weeds which harm the ecosystem and file a compliance report by January 11.
The court, which gave the order on a PIL by MDMK leader Vaiko, had also later appointed advocate commissioners to oversee implementation of its directive.
The advocate commissioners in Ariyalur district have said the presence of the trees was enormous and they should be removed at the earliest.