Just before the election announcement, Coimbatore District administration has denied permission to cut 27 tamarind trees for a road widening project at Thathur junction, Pollachi, rescheduling the project planned for June.
Coimbatore: Tamarind trees, over 50 years old, creating a verdant canopy along a 16-km road from Ambarampalayam to Sethumadai in Pollachi, have been saved from being cut down thanks to local resistance and administrative intervention. The aged trees were threatened by a road improvement project at Thathur junction, aimed to expand the accident-prone zone. The project, estimated at ₹2.2 crore, intended to widen the two-lane road for 200 meters on either side of the junction.
However, Coimbatore District Collector Kranthi Kumar Pati intervened just before the election announcement, instructing the Highways Department to seek alternative means to avoid cutting down the trees. This decision was supported by protests from local environmental groups, who gathered to advocate for the preservation of these ecological assets. On April 20, around 20 members from a local federation protested at Mukkonam, Anaimalai, highlighting the trees' importance to the local ecosystem and their perennial green canopy that provides significant relief during summer.
Additionally, historical and economic value is tied to these trees. T.K. Dhanasekar recounted how his uncle, Thathur A. Chinnasamy Gounder, formerly the chairman of Anamalai Panchayat Union, originally planted and nurtured these trees. They are not just ecological assets but also a source of tamarind revenue for five panchayats. Meanwhile, Karthikeya Sivasenapathy from DMK’s environment wing expressed the area's deep environmental heritage and the commitment to preserving the Annamalai Top Slip Road.
Pollachi Papyrus’ Pravin Shanmughanandam has petitioned both the Coimbatore district administration and the State government, advocating for the declaration of certain roads as Heritage Roads, ensuring a green buffer to protect the scenic vistas.
Sub-Collector Catherine Saranya also highlighted the detrimental impact on nature and the scenic environment that would result from removing the trees, reaffirming the decision to protect them.
Minister TRB Rajaa had tweeted saying, “he’ll ensure the iconic stretch between Ambarampalayam and Sethumadai will not be touched”.
As a response, Highways Department officials have promised to revisit the plan and explore alternatives within the next week.
However, Coimbatore District Collector Kranthi Kumar Pati intervened just before the election announcement, instructing the Highways Department to seek alternative means to avoid cutting down the trees. This decision was supported by protests from local environmental groups, who gathered to advocate for the preservation of these ecological assets. On April 20, around 20 members from a local federation protested at Mukkonam, Anaimalai, highlighting the trees' importance to the local ecosystem and their perennial green canopy that provides significant relief during summer.
Additionally, historical and economic value is tied to these trees. T.K. Dhanasekar recounted how his uncle, Thathur A. Chinnasamy Gounder, formerly the chairman of Anamalai Panchayat Union, originally planted and nurtured these trees. They are not just ecological assets but also a source of tamarind revenue for five panchayats. Meanwhile, Karthikeya Sivasenapathy from DMK’s environment wing expressed the area's deep environmental heritage and the commitment to preserving the Annamalai Top Slip Road.
Pollachi Papyrus’ Pravin Shanmughanandam has petitioned both the Coimbatore district administration and the State government, advocating for the declaration of certain roads as Heritage Roads, ensuring a green buffer to protect the scenic vistas.
Sub-Collector Catherine Saranya also highlighted the detrimental impact on nature and the scenic environment that would result from removing the trees, reaffirming the decision to protect them.
Minister TRB Rajaa had tweeted saying, “he’ll ensure the iconic stretch between Ambarampalayam and Sethumadai will not be touched”.
As a response, Highways Department officials have promised to revisit the plan and explore alternatives within the next week.