COIMBATORE: There are around 600 plant species in the forests of Coimbatore.

The Government which had planned measures to conserve water bodies and rivers was said to be actively considering the proposal.

A proposal submitted by Siruthuli for restoration of Noyyal river, its canals and tanks are under active consideration of the Government, official sources said. Chairman of Siruthuli S.V. Balasubramanian and Project Co-ordinator K. Mayilsamy submitted a proposal to the Minister for Public Works Department K.V. Ramalingam.

The farmers of Salem district have urged the State and Central governments to provide them ‘adequate’ compensation since they fear that farming activities would come to a standstill in their lands once the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) completes the ambitious Kochin – Bangalore natural gas pipeline project.

Of the 310 kilometre-long underground pipeline that passes through the districts of Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, Salem and Krishnagiri, as many as 70 km of pipeline traverses through 28 villages in Salem district, mainly through Sankagiri and Omalur taluks.

Members of various farmers associations, political parties, industrial associations and general public observed a fast here on Tuesday urging the Centre to prevent the Kerala Government’s move to construct a dam across Siruvani River in Attapadi.

Senior functionaries of various political parties including Erode MP A. Ganesamurthy and former Union Minister Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan took part in the protest which was led by Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam district president E. R. Kumarasamy.

A functionary of Hindu Makkal Katchi resorted to a novel protest in Chennimalai on Monday to oppose the Kerala government's move to construct a dam across River Siruvani at Attapadi.

State Public Relations Co-ordinator of the party T. Senthil Kumar performed angapradakshinam at the Chennimalai Murugan temple to express his protest as Kerala's move would affect the farming community in Erode, Tirupur and Coimbatore districts. Siruvani was one of the tributaries of River Bhavani, which was the primary source of water for irrigation in Erode district.

Attempts to prune the branches and to cut a huge tree in front of a building on Venkatasamy Road in R.S. Puram on Wednesday triggered opposition by green activists.

A group of green activists gathered in front of the building and tried to stop the tree cutting. This led to tense moments and commotion for some time. After the owner of the building stated that he was cutting the tree only with prior permission, the green activists left the place deciding to take up the matter with the Revenue Divisional Officer for granting permission for tree cutting without inspection of the trees by the members of the Tree Protection Committee.

Corporates and citizens come together to segregate and recycle waste

Minister for Forests and Environment inaugurates camp for kumki elephants

State Government will initiate measures to end man-animal conflict and Rs. 44 crore will be spent for the purpose over the next four years, said K.T. Pachamal, Minister for Forests and Environment on Wednesday. He was inaugurating a camp for two kumki elephants at Chadivayal at the foot hills of Siruvani.

Residents of various colonies staged a protest fast on Tuesday in front of the Thudialur bus stand protesting against the proposed land acquisition for the Western Bypass Road from Madukkarai to Thudialur.

The proposed road from Madukkarai cutting across Siruvani Road, Marudhamalai Road and Thadagam Road to join Mettuppalayam Road is expected to ease congestion within the city. The proposed project at Rs. 284 crore passes through areas such as Kovaipudur, Somayampalayam, Pannimadai and the latest alignment proposed is likely to damage houses, apartments and lands.

Green activists, on Monday, resisted an attempt to cut trees “without permission” on Bharathi Park Road in front of an upcoming building.

N.I. Jalaludeen of Nature Conservation Society (NCS) said that an earthmover was seen preparing to uproot three trees on the Bharathi Park Road. Following information, green activists Mohammed Saleem of Environment Conservation Group, Mahesh Prasanna of Osai and representatives reached the place along with Jalaludeen.