The Hindu Business Line : Kerala Minister moots ‘Tree Authority’

The Forests Minister, Mr Benoy Viswom, has suggested that a ‘Tree Authority’ be set up to mull the desirability of cutting down trees on road sides prior to taking up developmental projects.

In a letter to the Public Works Minister, Mr Mons Joseph, he suggested that the authority should have wide representation from all stakeholders.

ROAD DEVELOPMENT

The idea has been mooted in the context of environmentalists and nature lovers taking up cudgels on behalf of the stately avenue trees standing tall by the side of congested roads in the State capital.

Many of these have been marked out for being cut down for facilitating the smooth progress of the long-drawn City Road Improvement Project (CRIP). Airing the larger public opinion, the Forests Minister sought to remind his Cabinet colleague that that the venerably grand trees should be cut down only in unavoidable circumstances. Road development officials should be told to appreciate the public anger over the matter.

“The justification for cutting down old trees at the dead of the night is not clear,” the Minister said, noting that the trees had stood there for years providing shelter to people from the harsher elements.

Caution urged

Mr Viswom said that he had counselled caution to officials when confronted with complaints from environmentalists. The general policy expressed itself against indiscriminate felling of trees.

There was also the stipulation that 10 trees should be planted in lieu of each felled.

Following pressure from environmental activists, the Public Works Minister has decided to convene a high-level meeting on May 6 to discuss the issue.

A statement from the Minister’s office said here that the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr M. Vijayakumar; the Forest Minister, Mr Benoy Viswom; the Thiruvananthapuram Mayor, Mr C. Jayan Babu, and noted environmental activists, including poetess Sugathakumari, would participate in the meeting.

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