Nilgiri district administration's permission to chop greater than 900 Ayini pala (Cullenia exarillata) bushes from a non-public property in Gudalur taluk of the Nilgiris has come as a surprise to nature fans.
Nilgiris collector J Innocent Divya on November 13 granted permission to chop 963 Ayani pala bushes in Harrisons Malayalam Limited's Wentworth Estate in Cherangode village in Gudalur taluk.
Nature lover and Gudalur-based advocate R Kumaresan say these bushes were not planted but had grown naturally. As consistent with the regulation, bushes artificially planted can only be accepted to be felled and not those ones which have grown naturally.
Many wild animals like lion-tailed macaque, Malabar massive squirrel, Travancore flying squirrel, wild boar, sambar, mongoose and birds corresponding to great Indian hornbill feed on the fruit from these bushes. These bushes are very essential for long-term conservation of all endemic species — both wildlife.
Already the wooded area patches in this part of Nilgiris are fragmented due to human settlements. Because of habitat destruction, incidents of man-animal conflict has also increased in recent years. If the bushes are felled it will further worsen the situation, Kumaresan warns. Due to local weather change, rainfall in Gudalur area is happening annually. The bushes that are recognized for cutting, are situated within the Jenmam lands in Gudalur. A litigation is still pending since bushes in this area aren't supposed to be felled, stated an activist.
Gudalur district wooded area officer P Okay Dilip stated the bushes marked for cutting have not grown naturally. They had been planted to supply colour to the espresso crops. "If they are not allowed to be cut, it will adversely impact the coffee planters," he stated. Actually the property requested for extra collection of bushes to be felled. But, the department gave permission to chop 10% of the overall numbers.
Collector Divya stated on Wednesday they received lawsuits that the bushes were not planted and are grown naturally. So the cutting was once ordered to be stopped. A staff of Forest officers will inspect and submit a report, only after which it will be determined whether to permit the tree cutting, she stated.
Nilgiris collector J Innocent Divya on November 13 granted permission to chop 963 Ayani pala bushes in Harrisons Malayalam Limited's Wentworth Estate in Cherangode village in Gudalur taluk.
Nature lover and Gudalur-based advocate R Kumaresan say these bushes were not planted but had grown naturally. As consistent with the regulation, bushes artificially planted can only be accepted to be felled and not those ones which have grown naturally.
Many wild animals like lion-tailed macaque, Malabar massive squirrel, Travancore flying squirrel, wild boar, sambar, mongoose and birds corresponding to great Indian hornbill feed on the fruit from these bushes. These bushes are very essential for long-term conservation of all endemic species — both wildlife.
Already the wooded area patches in this part of Nilgiris are fragmented due to human settlements. Because of habitat destruction, incidents of man-animal conflict has also increased in recent years. If the bushes are felled it will further worsen the situation, Kumaresan warns. Due to local weather change, rainfall in Gudalur area is happening annually. The bushes that are recognized for cutting, are situated within the Jenmam lands in Gudalur. A litigation is still pending since bushes in this area aren't supposed to be felled, stated an activist.
Gudalur district wooded area officer P Okay Dilip stated the bushes marked for cutting have not grown naturally. They had been planted to supply colour to the espresso crops. "If they are not allowed to be cut, it will adversely impact the coffee planters," he stated. Actually the property requested for extra collection of bushes to be felled. But, the department gave permission to chop 10% of the overall numbers.
Collector Divya stated on Wednesday they received lawsuits that the bushes were not planted and are grown naturally. So the cutting was once ordered to be stopped. A staff of Forest officers will inspect and submit a report, only after which it will be determined whether to permit the tree cutting, she stated.
Grant to cut 963 trees near Gudalur shocks naturalists
![Grant to cut 963 trees near Gudalur shocks naturalists]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
December 07, 2017
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