The Hindu 16.12.2010
Ombudsman to inspect planted saplings in city
KOLLAM: M.R. Hariharan Nair, Ombudsman for Local Self-Government Institutions, will inspect the newly developed Asramam-Kappalandimukku four lane road in the city to assess whether the Kollam City Corporation authorities had obliged to directives of the Kerala High Court and the Ombudsman to plant 256 saplings along the sides of the road.
For the purpose of developing the road, the authorities had felled 128 avenue trees and it invited strong protests from environmental activists. General convener of the Paristhiti Samrakshana Ekopana Samithi Odanavattom Vijayaprakash had even moved the High Court for directions to stop the felling of trees.
The court had in September 2009 directed the city Corporation to complete the road construction in four months time and then plant 256 saplings in place of the 128 trees that had to be felled for the road development. The Ombudsman had also issued a similar directive.
The directives were that the saplings should be planted in three months after the completion of the road work and every three months after that the High Court should be given a report on the growth of the saplings. Last month the Corporation Secretary had informed the Ombudsman that 75 saplings had been planted and protected with tree guards.
However, Mr. Vijayaprakash lodged a complaint with the Ombudsman stating that only 50 saplings were planted and that the Corporation authorities had failed to honour the directives of the High Court and the Ombudsman.
It was in the wake of this complaint that Mr. Hariharan Nair had decided to conduct an on-the-spot inspection of the road on a suitable date after December 18. Mr. Vijayaprakash meanwhile said that he would move the High Court with a contempt of court petition against the Corporation for failing to honour the court directive.
