Sunday, 31 July 2016

Helpless farmers, hapless elephants!

Both environmentalists and government authorities confirm that there are at least 24 institutions that have come up in the foothills of the western ghats in Coimbatore district  - encroaching on traditional migratory paths of wild elephants.

All educational institutions have been built on land that has patta. And elephants wandering on the nearby hillside is a common sight.

Activists are planning to write to the concerned boards of education asking them to de-recognise the institutions for violating rules.

Committees headed by Madhav Gadgil and K Kasturirangan had warned against the misuse of elephant corridors for non-forest purposes.

A narrow corridor connects Sathyamangalam forest with the silent valley in Kerala.
This is a traditional migratory path for elephants.

Human -wildlife conflicts have become more acute in this region in the last 15 years.

Tales of gruesome deaths of helpless farmers and hapless elephants are becoming normal stories.

Nearly 100 people have died in elephant attacks here, in last 15 years.

However, religious and political bodies still violate rules, to reap huge profits at minimal investment.

Ironically, violators like Jaggi Vasudev pose as environmentalists and distribute lakhs of tree saplings on World Environment Day.

People shake and dole heady cocktails of spirituality, secularism laced with environmental advocacy, that can divert public attention, from the real dangers they themselves pose, to the western ghats.

Nisha Ponthathil / Tehelka / 27 June 2015.

Wild elephant habitat

67 years ofl Subbathal of Mutthattu Vayal was trampled to death by a wild elephant at the foothills of Poondi Vellingiri Andavar Temple in the early hours of Friday.

Villagers who heard her screams, rushed - only to see the elephant trample her to death.

Forest Department has posted watchers in the area to monitor the elephant's movement.

- The Hindu, August 24, 2013 / Coimbatore.

Saturday, 30 July 2016

reserve forest violations

Chennai:  At least 77 buildings of several lakh square feet have been constructed - without any permission or approval - at the foot hills of Velliangiri mountain ranges, the Tamil Nadu government has informed the High Court.
 
# Not obtained concurrence of  Deputy Director of Town and Country Planning, as required by the Tamil Nadu gov't Panchayat Rules 1997.

 # Not obtained clearance from Hill Area Conservation Authority.

 # Already constructed 62 building blocks that are in use. Another 15 are under construction - without valid approval from competent authority.

 # Has submitted proposals for 12 blocks of more than 4 lakh square feet. The proposal showed 50 buildings as 'existing structures'.

 # Locking sealing, stop work and demolition notice were issued on December 24, 2012. Work however was not stopped, the counter conceded.

- A Subramani / TNN / Dec. 17, 2013 /  07:54PM IST  Times Of India