Trapped in gaps of tank toe wall, tamarind trees struggle for survival near Madurai
Tamarind trees near a Madurai highway are being strangled by a concrete toe wall constructed to protect an irrigation tank bund. The trees have outgrown the gaps left in the wall, causing structural damage to the concrete and threatening the survival of the trees.
Why it matters
This illustrates the conflict between infrastructure development and environmental preservation, showing how poor planning can negatively impact local ecosystems.
At least seven fully-grown Tamarind trees along Tirumangalam-Srivilliputtur highway at S. Ammapatti are struggling for their survival with the concrete toe wall of an irrigation tank blocking the horizontal growth of their trunks.
The trees that are standing for at least four decades were planted on the bund of S. Ammapatti irrigation tank falling on the right side of the old highway running through T. Kallupatti.
Over a dozen tamarind trees that are standing tall for several years had spread their branches over the tank and also over the highway providing a partial pale emerald canopy.
With the highway being narrow and winding through sharp turns at this particular stretch, the toe wall is said to have been constructed some seven years back to keep the earth of the bund intact and prevent it from falling on the highway edge running very closer to the bund.
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