Revenue and Water Resources departments removed 23 coconut trees blocking a waterway near Narasipuram, Thondamuthur block, on Friday. The action followed a directive from Coimbatore District Collector Kranthi Kumar Pati, addressing long-standing encroachment issues.
Coimbatore: The revenue department, in collaboration with the water resources department (WRD), felled 23 coconut trees obstructing a waterway near Narasipuram in Thondamuthur block on Friday. This action was taken following a directive from Coimbatore District Collector Kranthi Kumar Pati.
The move addresses a petition filed in 2022 by Kalichamy, president of Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam in Thondamuthur block. Kalichamy had raised concerns about encroachments on the waterway of Muralaikuttai, stating that residents of Vellimalaipattinam and Narasipuram villages had encroached upon the waterway for agricultural purposes, preventing rainwater from following its natural course during monsoon season.
According to Kalichamy, the encroachments were causing rainwater to be diverted to nearby patta agricultural lands, resulting in damage. He also highlighted that Muralaikuttai had been encroached upon and degraded over the years, leading to a decline in groundwater levels. The petition requested the district administration to remove the encroachments and restore the waterbody to its original state.
Following the complaint, revenue department officials inspected the area and identified encroachments on 10.42 acres of land, primarily used for the cultivation of coconut and teak trees. It was found that at least 1,428 coconut trees were being grown on the encroached land.
An assistant engineer from the water resources department inspected the site and submitted a report to the collector. The report highlighted that 23 coconut trees were obstructing water flow during heavy rain and recommended their removal.
A revenue department official stated that the encroachments had been present for nearly 30 years. "We have retrieved the land and marked the 23 coconut trees for removal, which were felled today (Friday). The remaining 1,405 trees on the encroached Muralaikuttai will be felled if we receive orders from the collector," the official said.
This action marks a significant step in addressing long-standing encroachment issues and restoring the natural flow of water in the area. The removal of these obstructions is expected to help mitigate flooding risks and improve water management in the region.
The move addresses a petition filed in 2022 by Kalichamy, president of Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam in Thondamuthur block. Kalichamy had raised concerns about encroachments on the waterway of Muralaikuttai, stating that residents of Vellimalaipattinam and Narasipuram villages had encroached upon the waterway for agricultural purposes, preventing rainwater from following its natural course during monsoon season.
According to Kalichamy, the encroachments were causing rainwater to be diverted to nearby patta agricultural lands, resulting in damage. He also highlighted that Muralaikuttai had been encroached upon and degraded over the years, leading to a decline in groundwater levels. The petition requested the district administration to remove the encroachments and restore the waterbody to its original state.
Following the complaint, revenue department officials inspected the area and identified encroachments on 10.42 acres of land, primarily used for the cultivation of coconut and teak trees. It was found that at least 1,428 coconut trees were being grown on the encroached land.
An assistant engineer from the water resources department inspected the site and submitted a report to the collector. The report highlighted that 23 coconut trees were obstructing water flow during heavy rain and recommended their removal.
A revenue department official stated that the encroachments had been present for nearly 30 years. "We have retrieved the land and marked the 23 coconut trees for removal, which were felled today (Friday). The remaining 1,405 trees on the encroached Muralaikuttai will be felled if we receive orders from the collector," the official said.
This action marks a significant step in addressing long-standing encroachment issues and restoring the natural flow of water in the area. The removal of these obstructions is expected to help mitigate flooding risks and improve water management in the region.