Farmers lamented that coconut trees had lost their drying capacity due to the oil released from the windmill and hnece demanded concerned authorities to conduct a field inspection and grant compensation.
Tirupur: Farmers in Tirupur have threatened to stage a protest and gherao the windmill if compensation is not paid to them for the damaged coconut trees.
A few years ago, a windmill was set up near the coconut grove of farmer Thirumalaisamy at Madathukulam Thungavi near Udumalai in Tirupur district.
In the past few days, about 1250 litres of oil in the windmill was discharged due to repairs.
The coconut trees that had thus far been yielding good results were reportedly of no use now.
Farmers protesting against the windmill said, "Over the years, we have been cultivating coconut saplings amidst many hardships. At present, the oil coming out of the windmill has caused infertility in the coconut trees, which has completely lost its drying-up capacity.
There is no chance of them drying up anymore. Moreover, the strips of coconut tree are turning brown. Therefore, the coconut trees may have to be cut down. More than 250 coconut trees have been damaged, causing a lo of lakhs of farmers. Therefore, the concerned authorities should conduct a field inspection and pay us appropriate compensation. Otherwise, farmers will come together and gherao the windmill company and stage a protest."
When farmers contacted the concerned windmill company, they were reportedly indifferent to the farmers' complaints and directed them to go to court to seek compensation.