Seemai Karuvelam, Alien Tree Removal Case: Forest Secretary Ordered to Appear

Tamil Nadu: The Chennai High Court questioned, “Why is there a delay in releasing funds for the ongoing maintenance work of Seemaikruvelam and removal of external trees?” and ordered the Forest Secretary to appear in person and explain the matter.

A special bench of Justices N. Satishkumar and D. Bharat Chakravarthy is hearing cases related to environment, forest, and wildlife. The bench was informed that the state government had not yet released funds for the Seemaikruvelam and removal of external trees and the ongoing maintenance work.

At that time, the Forest Department stated that funds for the maintenance had already been released. The next phase of funds was recommended for release in November last year. It was stated that funds for the next phase of maintenance would be released soon after the Finance Department’s approval.

The judges hearing the case stated that if the ongoing maintenance work was not completed, all the Tamil Nadu government’s efforts to date would be in vain. “Why is there a delay in releasing maintenance funds for these?” he asked. Later, he ordered Forest Secretary Supriya Sahu to appear in person and explain the matter, and adjourned the hearing.