NDC appeals to Forest Department to stop planting trees along roadside

The Nilgiri Documentation Center (NDC) has appealed to the Forest Department to stop planting Syzigium cumini trees by the roadside.

Venugopal Dharmalingam, honorary director of the NDC, told The Hindu the saplings were being planted along the roadsides between Kotagiri and Kookalthorai.

“There is heavy and reckless traffic on the road round the clock owing to the presence of tea gardens on either side or fast developing new buildings and resorts. There is hardly space for walkers who have been patronising the road for its serenity. Sometime ago, the police inspector of Kotagiri and local volunteers had surveyed the road and recommended six speed breakers along the road to ensure safe traffic. But no action has been taken,” he said adding that the saplings have little chance of survival due to cattle and gaur regularly grazing new growth trees.

“Even if they survive, they will be a major hindrance to future broadening of the road or to the power lines which run over them. The naga trees could grow up to about fifty feet,” he said.

The Forest Department should stop further planting of such saplings along road margins and relocate the planted saplings to suitable places, he added.