Citizen Connect: Indiscriminate felling of trees worries environmentalists in Anakaputhur

 Residents said that coconut trees and mango trees, that benefit people in various ways, were indiscriminately chopped down as there is no fear of action from the authorities.

According to the Indian Forest Act, each State has laid down its own rules and regulations against felling of trees. As per the law, to cut down trees that are blocking the public way, or if branches are posing danger to buildings or blocking hoardings, the person concerned need to take a clearance from the Forest department.

However, the trees in the vacant plots and near old houses, especially in Pallavaram, Pammal and Anakaputhur, were axed to accommodate new buildings. Interestingly, a senior official from Pallavaram municipality said that no one has lodged a complaint with the authorities in connection with the issue.

“No one has concerns about the environment. In addition, many citizens are not aware of the rules or the implication of cutting down trees,” the official said. S Venkatesan, a social worker in Pammal, Anna Nagar, said that there are no serious environmental laws to prevent trees from being cut down. “Even if a complaint is lodged, offenders pay fine and commit the same mistake again,” he added.

However, builders said that they get permission from authorities before cutting down trees which pose hurdles to the builders. “If a tree is axed, we plant at least 10 saplings in the same area and ensure their proper maintenance,” S Anandan, a builder in Pammal, said.

Another official from Anakaputhur municipality said that there is a team to continuously monitor and count the saplings in their assigned areas. “A register is also maintained in this regard,” he added.