Post-judge remark, Collector updates status on Karuvelam

The Collector’s update on the status of the ‘killer’ tree in the district comes a day after Justice Selvam of Madurai Bench of Madras High Court inspected many places at Madurai in person and expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of the ongoing drive. The High Court judge also directed the district administration to give priority for uprooting the trees and to sensitise people about its menace. 

Keeping in line with his instructions, a human chain programme to raise awareness about the menace of Seemai Karuvelam was conducted in Madurai on Tuesday. College students who participated in the programme held placards carrying messages about the hazardous nature of the plant. 

The Collector also joined the human chain and exhorted upon the students to participate in the drive to eradicate the Seemai Karuvelam . So far, trees in 49,000 hectares have been removed in the district. Nearly 80 per cent of the invasive plants which were found on private lands have been removed, Rao conveyed during the programme. 

The drive was being carried out through collective effort with support from officials of all government departments, including PWD and rural development.

All private land owners have been advised to remove the plants and if they fail to remove it, the district administration would finish the job and charge twice the cost incurred as per the orders of the High Court.

Apart from the human chain programme, several awareness campaigns were conducted in different parts of the district including a signature campaign at Tirumangalam.

It may be recalled that MDMK leader Vaiko along with other environmental activists had filed cases in the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court. After going through the submissions of the petitioners, the HC issued stern warnings to remove the Seemai Karuvelam plants in 13 districts coming under its jurisdiction. The district judges were also directed to monitor the progress of removal of the trees and submit report to the High Court.