Chennai, Oct 13 (PTI) A panel set up by the Tamil Nadugovernment to conduct a scientific study on 'Seemai Karuvelam'trees (Prosopis juliflora) today told the Madras High Courtthe trees have no direct impact on groundwater depletion inthe state.
When the matter came up before the high court's fullbench, comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee, Justice MMSundresh and Justice M Sundar, the committee in its reportsaid the trees have "xerophytic adaptation and root systemdoes not penetrate to great depths."They grow well in dry regions where rainfall was lessthan 200 mm. If the trees were inundated/submerged in waterfor than six months, they die automatically, it said.
The report said that 10 year pre and post monsoon datarelating to the rise and the fall of the groundwater in TamilNadu clearly indicates the trees have no direct impact on thedepletion of groundwater.
Due to a shortage of fossil fuels, the trees havetraditionally been extensively used as fuel wood, charcoal.
A large number of rural population in TN depends on thetress for their livelihood.
According to the committee, Seemai Karuvelam trees areuseful plants - both to the wetland and dryland ecosystems.
These species have a positive impact on the overallecosystem in TN, it said.
When MDMK leader Vaiko appeared for arguing the case, thebench asked him to go through the report and said it wouldhear the arguments after that.
It directed Santhanam, additional government pleader, forstate forest department to handover the copies of the reportto Vaiko.
In his petition, Meganathan prayed for restraining theauthorities from drastically removing the Seemai Karuvelamtrees in the state and direct the state government toconstitute a committee of experts to study the alleged ill-effects of the trees and submit a report.
The bench posted the matter for further hearing onNovember 22. PTI COR BNABH.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.