For the beautification of Adyar River, 100 species of rare trees cut
Posted on: 24/Oct/2019 9:47:37 AM
Not many of us would have known the names like Kokottai, Kumizh, Asoka, Azhinji, Vennagur, Suryagada and Uvamaram etc in the past, but now these names have become familiar.
These are the names of rare tree species that were cut down at the Kotturpuram Tree Park.
To the shock of many regular walkers, tree lovers and activists, on Tuesday night several trees were cut down at this Kotturpuram Tree Park. This was done to beautify Adyar River. The important piece of information is about 100 species of rare trees were cut down by the WRD.
It must be taken into account that not only trees but also shrubs planted at the park on the banks of Adyar were cleaned to form a bund and compound wall. By this cutting down of trees and clearing of shrubs, all the hard work that was put by the residents as well as by the volunteers of Nizhal have been wiped out now. This was according to the residents.
It is known that Nizhal has been involved in greening the Kotturpuram Park. The founder of Nizhal Shoba Menon, expressed her thoughts. She spoke about how when the officials of CRRT held a meeting on the beautification of river with the residents and environment activists some 8 months back the need to protect trees and shrubs at any cost was brought to their notice.
The purpose of conducting a public discussion was not served if no respect was given to the greenery. This was according to a volunteer belonging to Nizhal. He was unclear about the purpose of the river restoration project and said that it would not be successful without greenery. The point is trees and shrubs for about 500 m were cut down now.
It was later brought out by a senior official belonging to WRD that only shrubs were removed based on the request by CRRT and just one tree was felled by the contractor. He added how the permission from the department was not taken and how action would be taken. It is well known that 42.5 km long Adyar River is one of the 2 rivers that flow in Chennai and it originates near Chembarambakkam Lake.
