R. Mahendran, Vice President, Makkal Needhi Maiam and Mayura Jayakumar, the Congress candidate for the South constituency were present
Coimbatore: Locals and environmental activists wore black shirts and followed social distancing this morning and marched in Coimbatore Race Course road today urging people to stop cutting down of trees. They also emphasized protecting the natural resources of the area.
The public today took to the streets wearing black shirts in a peaceful protest demanding the protection of various sites, including Thomas Park, which was built during British rule, and the need to reclaim the region's endangered natural resources under the Smart City project.
R. Mahendran, Vice President of Makkal Needhi Maiam, Saleem, a social activist, and Mayura Jayakumar, the Congress candidate for the south constituency, were present and expressed their support.
R. Mahendran said, "The government has launched a number of projects in the name of the Smart City project without consulting the people living in the area, especially in the Race Course area. Many trees have been cut down. Thomas Park, which was set up during the regime, has been demolished. This is not entirely appropriate. The government is only considering business projects."
Adding, he said, "The government should implement projects that protect the environment and listen to the views of the people in the area and carry out projects to renovate the area with regard to the play areas. The government should take note of the fact that there are various places in the city where a playground can be set up."
Environmental activist Saleem spoke to the media and said, "The natural resources of the region have been severely depleted in the name of Smart City. The area has been a green area for a long time so people used to come in large numbers for morning and evening walks. But now all of them have been removed and the trees have been cut down and only decorative lights have been installed. They have assured to renovate Thomas Park after many protests."
"During corona infection, it is not fair to destroy such natural environments which can help people to be greatly refreshed. Also, it is unacceptable for the corporation to claim that the trees were not cut down. The park near the Government Arts College has also been removed and the area is now becoming a congested area and the corporation should repair it as soon as possible," Saleem said.
The public today took to the streets wearing black shirts in a peaceful protest demanding the protection of various sites, including Thomas Park, which was built during British rule, and the need to reclaim the region's endangered natural resources under the Smart City project.
R. Mahendran, Vice President of Makkal Needhi Maiam, Saleem, a social activist, and Mayura Jayakumar, the Congress candidate for the south constituency, were present and expressed their support.
R. Mahendran said, "The government has launched a number of projects in the name of the Smart City project without consulting the people living in the area, especially in the Race Course area. Many trees have been cut down. Thomas Park, which was set up during the regime, has been demolished. This is not entirely appropriate. The government is only considering business projects."
Adding, he said, "The government should implement projects that protect the environment and listen to the views of the people in the area and carry out projects to renovate the area with regard to the play areas. The government should take note of the fact that there are various places in the city where a playground can be set up."
Environmental activist Saleem spoke to the media and said, "The natural resources of the region have been severely depleted in the name of Smart City. The area has been a green area for a long time so people used to come in large numbers for morning and evening walks. But now all of them have been removed and the trees have been cut down and only decorative lights have been installed. They have assured to renovate Thomas Park after many protests."
"During corona infection, it is not fair to destroy such natural environments which can help people to be greatly refreshed. Also, it is unacceptable for the corporation to claim that the trees were not cut down. The park near the Government Arts College has also been removed and the area is now becoming a congested area and the corporation should repair it as soon as possible," Saleem said.