COIMBATORE: Coimbatore corporation has fined a private contractor ₹1.27 lakh for illegally felling trees from the Sengulam lake here.The illegal felling of trees was flagged by R Manikandan, founder of Kovai Kulangal Pathukappu Amaippu, on Thursday morning. Following this, the members of the Coimbatore District Green Committee (DGC), along with officials from the water resources department (WRD), corporation officials and district revenue officials, intercepted and seized two trucks transporting the timbers.According to corporation officials, during an inspection at the site, a violation was detected, and the contractor was imposed a fine of ₹1.27 lakh, comprising ₹77,000 towards the value of the felled native trees and ₹50,000 as a penalty. The contractor has also been warned of licence cancellation if similar violations are reported.The city corporation had awarded a contract for a private company to remove the invasive ‘seemai karuvelam’ following a recent Madras high court order. Meanwhile, the contractor had violated the agreement terms by felling more than 80 native trees.Manikandan alleged that Sengulam was not under the corporation’s control but was maintained by the WRD. He stated that no permission was obtained from the WRD prior to carrying out such activities.K Syed, a member of the DGC, said, “The contractor did not fell even a single seemai karuvelam, but all the trees seized were native karuvelam. Many migratory birds, including pelicans, have been recorded in large numbers here. This lake, rich in biodiversity, supports migratory birds and their nesting. Many of the felled trees were more than two decades old.”“During the field inspection, we noticed many bird nests, and squirrel nests were damaged. Such activities should involve an active field officer from the respective local body or department that awards the contract. So many trees were felled in just one day. Imagine how much it could have been if it continued for a few more days. We also demand that an opinion be sought from the DGC for carrying out such activities, especially on water bodies,” he added.
