Coimbatore: Revenue officials slapped a hefty sum as fine in response to an arrogant tree cutter who got into a verbal spat with them.
Coimbatore: Revenue officials slapped a hefty sum as fine in response to a house owner who for no reason cut a tree in front of his house in public space and later entered into a verbal spat with them.
The man was attempting to cut down a 13-year old Mayflower tree which was in front of his house, claiming it was obstructing an ongoing construction. The incident occurred this evening, when a house owner at Sripathi Nagar in Ramanathapuram was cutting down a tree to clear space for a house construction, without obtaining proper permission.
As the tree was not actually obstructing the construction and as it was the only tree on the lane, his neighbours tried to stop him. However, he did not pay heed to their pleas and reportedly threatened them by claiming he was an ex-policeman.
Thereafter, the revenue officials and social activist K Syed from NGO Osai were called for to save the tree from getting axed.
The man entered into a verbal spat with the officials and exhibited complete callousness in saving the tree. The officials then decided to fine him for cutting down a part of the tree.
“We usually do not intend to fine people, if the tree is really hindering them. But in cases like these, it is important that people understand that trees cannot be easily removed for our comfort. They are public property,” opined Syed.
He further added that they have requested the District administration to inform them, if any such pleas arose from the public to stop people from cutting trees.
"In most cases, trees are cut for a trivial reason. This is why it is important to verify if the tree actually needs to be felled. Many trees can be saved this way,” he noted.