COIMBATORE: Some shopkeepers on the Cross Cut Road in Gandhipuram here are suspected of trying to destroy trees and greenery on the stretch by deliberately throwing away garbage and pouring acid on them.
The 900-metre stretch of the Cross Cut Road is the busiest road in Coimbatore city due to the presence of several large shopping stores and commercial complexes.
The Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) had recently developed the stretch by widening the pedestrian pathway and establishing a pavement for the public. Ample spaces were left for the trees on the pathway and iron grills were installed around the trees for watering.
Environmentalists and social activists alleged traders and shopkeepers have been destroying these trees by throwing garbage around the trees and setting them on fire. Social activists also complained that some shopkeepers have also been pouring chemicals and acids on the trees to destroy them and later chop them off to get a good display for their shops or buildings.
Activists urged the district administration and other officials to initiate criminal action against such shopkeepers and also conduct a meeting with all the shopkeepers on the Cross Cut Road and warn them of the consequences.
"This issue has been going on for a long time. Many traders including the public are throwing away garbage around the trees and turning them into dump bins. The lack of enough dust bins on the stretch is also one main reason for this. Also, some traders are pouring acid on trees to make the trees wither away. Strict action is needed against these traders in Gandhipuram," said S Sivaraja, an environmentalist and a member of the Coimbatore district green committee.
Sivaraja also raised concerns over permission being given by the officials to chop down trees without bringing it to the notice of the green committee. He also revealed that chopping trees, throwing away garbage and pouring acid on trees - all these offences are legally punishable under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act - will attract hefty fines and imprisonment of up to 7 years.
Speaking to TNIE, Coimbatore District Collector Kranthi Kumar Pati said, "Coimbatore is a big district and various tree pruning and cutting works will be carried out across the district. We can't be seeking the green committee's nod for every single tree. If a large number of trees are being chopped, the concerned tahsildar along with the green committee will inspect the place and provide permission for chopping the trees."
On the claim that shopkeepers pour acid on trees, he promised to look into the matter and order the officials to conduct an inquiry and take necessary action.
CCMC Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran told TNIE that he would check the feasibility of installing fences around the trees on the Cross Cut Road to prevent people and traders from throwing garbage.