CHENNAI: After experts submitted their reports on the Tiruvannamalai ‘girivalam’ path widening project on Thursday, the National Green Tribunal has said that an interim order on the issue will be passed on November 8.
The two-member expert team comprising retired Madras High Court judge K Sampath Kumar and Indian Forest Service officer T Sekar was appointed to conduct a thorough inspection of the girivalam path, especially on the day of Full Moon, to get a clear picture.
The inspection involved the study of 125 trees identified for felling and the team was to ensure not a single tree was cut unnecessarily.
No tree will be allowed to be felled in the Sonagiri forest area, which is ecologically sensitive belt in the entire 14-km stretch, the bench had said at a previous hearing. The residents, environmentalists and pilgrims of the area have for months been protesting against the project as it involved the felling of several trees in the area.
The committee submitted the report after two visits to the path and copies of the report have been handed to the lawyers involved in the case.
Another report was put forward by retired engineer Vishveshwaran, a resident of the Tiruvannamalai as well. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has also filed its reply to the tribunal.
The committee told the bench that it would be revisiting stretch 2 and stretch 4 again for an inspection since the ‘Karthigai deepam’ festival is soon approaching and the paths will be flooded again with people.
The bench comprising Justice P Jyothimani and expert member P S Rao said an interim order will be issued on November 8 depending on the content of the reports submitted to the tribunal.