The Madras High Court today directed 11 District Collectors to remove 'Seemai Karuvelam' trees (prosopis) and other weeds which harm the ecosystem and file a compliance report by January 11.
Justice A Selvam and Justice P Kalaiarasan of the Madurai Bench of the high court issued the direction to 11 District Collectors under its jurisdiction on a PIL by MDMK leader Vaiko.
Vaiko suggested that the country involve the UNDP scheme in the eradication programme of harmful trees and weeds as UNESCO had declared the Western Ghats a heritage site.
This could be done under the natural resource management programme, he said.
Earlier, another bench had suggested that the government study Vaiko's proposals to remove the trees and weeds.
The MDMK leader submitted that there is an erroneous understanding that these trees are useful for society and it was a source of livelihood. Such a notion should be removed from the minds of the people, he said.
He suggested that the Agriculture and Horticulture departments be used to identify trees that harm the ecosystem and destroy them. The state could ask them to develop an environmental-friendly mechanism to eradicate the trees.
Rural people could be involved in eradicating the trees under Rural employment programmes, he said.
Earlier the Principal Secretary, Environment and Forests, said it would cost Rs 1,389 crore to remove Karuvelam trees in 3.38 lakh hectares of land belonging to PWD and rural development departments. They would take two and three years respectively to remove them.
He sought the court's permission for eradication work as and when funds are available, as well as physical feasibility.
In October 2016, the Secretary had said 'Acacia nilotica' trees have to be removed in 55,900 hectares of forest lands. But those trees could be sold and the cost could be recovered. It would take 10 years to remove them from forest lands in view of accessibility problems, he had said.
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