Tamil Nadu to Release 81.78 Crore for Forest Maintenance After Court Directive
In a significant development, the Tamil Nadu government has assured the Madras High Court that it will release 81.78 crore for the maintenance of forest areas where invasive species have been removed. This assurance came on Friday, following judicial intervention that highlighted the urgency of the matter.
Court's Stern Warning and Government's Response
Additional Chief Secretary Supriya Sahu appeared before a special bench of the Madras High Court, comprising Justice N Sathish Kumar and Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy, via video-conferencing. She submitted that the funds would be released within a day or two, addressing the court's concerns over delays.
The bench had earlier, on February 19, pulled up the forest department for not releasing the funds promptly and summoned Sahu to explain the delay. The court emphasized that the maintenance work is critical to ensure the complete removal of invasive species and prevent their automatic regrowth.
Importance of Timely Maintenance
The court noted that the maintenance must be done periodically and immediately after removal to achieve the desired results. It warned that failing to sanction the amount regularly could lead to the regrowth of invasives, rendering the entire exercise futile. "If the amount is not sanctioned for maintenance regularly, once again, the growth of invasives will be automatic, the real purpose will not be served, and the entire exercise undertaken by this Court will only be a failed attempt," the bench stated.
This move is part of ongoing efforts to restore forest ecosystems in Tamil Nadu, with the court playing a proactive role in ensuring environmental conservation through judicial oversight.
