Kallanai villagers demand removal of seemai karuvelam from water bodies
Villagers in Melur taluk are calling for government intervention to remove invasive seemai karuvelam trees from a local water body. Despite community-led clearing efforts, residents argue that official technical and labor support is necessary to prevent the regrowth of the invasive species.
Why it matters
The issue underscores the challenges of environmental management and the reliance on government resources for local water security.
Villagers of Melur taluk have urged the district administration to clear seemai karuvelam trees that are regrowing in Kallanai kanmai, the primary water source of Kallanai village in Kallikudi taluk.
The kanmai serves as a vital source for drinking water, irrigation, livestock rearing, and other needs of local residents. Earlier, with the cooperation of government departments, Rotary Club, and villagers, the seemai karuvelam trees in the kanmai were cleared at a cost of several lakhs of rupees, said Selvaraj, a resident.
At present, seemai karuvelam saplings have begun to regrow from leftover seeds and roots, and if they are cleared at an early stage, it can be done at a low cost. Otherwise, they will grow back into dense bushes, leading to a situation where the government will have to spend a large amount of money to remove them again.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in