The Madras High Court today directed the state government in an interim order to pass an act prohibiting 'Karuvelam' trees (propopis juliflora), with penal provisions for those who allowed the trees to grow, within two months.
"Considering the evils of the existence of the karuvelam trees, it was necessary to weed out the trees throughout the state," a division bench of the court's Madurai bench, comprising Justice A.Selvam and Justice P.Kalaiarasan, said.
The bench, which was hearing a PIL filed by MDMK leader Vaiko, also directed the government to create a 'perennial fund' for all districts towards the purpose of removing the karuvelam trees.
The judges said the court would conduct surprise inspection and if lapses were found in any district, the same would be taken up seriously.
The case has been posted for further hearing to March 20.
Vaiko had sought a direction to authorities to remove the karuvelam trees as they caused environment damage and led to ground water depletion.
He wanted the trees to be removed from all water bodies including rivers and tanks.
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