KOCHI: Plucking coconuts won’t be an easy affair anymore for residents of two islands in Lakshadweep. In a move aimed at safety of roadside traffic, the island authorities have made obtaining permission mandatory, at least 24 hours in advance, to pluck coconuts on trees abutting public roads in Andrott, the largest island, and the scenic Kalpeni.
A government order in this regard was issued by Deputy Collector-cum -Executive Magistrate Mukund Vallabh Joshi, and it calls for compliance to more safety guidelines for plucking coconuts. For instance, a climber must use approved climbing gear, while the ground handlers should use helmets/gloves. Also, the plucking could be done only outside peak traffic/school timings and not during ship embarkation/ de-embarkation windows notified by the port.
“Any owner/contractor intending to pluck coconuts on trees abutting a public road shall submit a prior intimation at least 24 hours in advance to the SHO and AE (Roads), LPWD...Work may proceed only after acknowledgement,” the official said in the order issued on August 28.
The “strange” order has triggered a controversy, with residents raising objection to “unreasonable restrictions”. A petition has been filed before Lakshadweep district collector, seeking its withdrawal.
‘Order issued without any consultation’
According to the order, the regulation is aimed at preventing danger to the public. “It has been repeatedly observed that coconut trees abutting public roads are being climbed and nuts are plucked without prior intimation or safety measures, causing falling of nuts/fronds and obstructing traffic,” the order said.
As a safety measure, the order -- issued in exercise of powers under Section 152 BNSS, 2023 (public nuisance -- conditional orders) -- has directed to ensure a minimum safety cordon of 10m around the trees using cones/tape/flagmen etc.
It also bats for “one supervisor on ground, look-outs on both road approaches, temporary hold on pedestrians under canopy and no parking under canopy during work” at the time of coconut plucking.
Lakshadweep DCC president M I Attakoya said the strange order, in fact, will jeopardise safety. “So far, not a single person has died on the island to falling coconuts. Now, many owners won’t bother to pluck coconuts regularly, and this will pose risk to motorists and pedestrians,” Attakoya said.
Ajmal Ahmed R, an advocate, said the order, though intended for safety, will result in a “serious threat to livelihood due to unreasonable restrictions on the right to occupation”. “Safety can be ensured through general awareness and voluntary precautions, instead of imposing rigid conditions that virtually make coconut plucking impossible on roadside trees. No prior consultation or hearing was provided to the affected persons before issuing the order, which makes it procedurally unjust,” Ajmal said in his objection filed before the district collector.
“We will move the High Court if the district collector fails to withdraw the unreasonable direction,” he told TNIE.
Coconut cultivation is the traditional occupation and primary livelihood of the residents of Lakshadweep. Since the islands have a number of public roads, a vast number of coconut trees fall under the scope of the new order.