Coimbatore Trees vs. Road Widening: A Green Battle

An environmental organisation in Coimbatore, Osai, has petitioned the Tamil Nadu government to reconsider the scale of the proposed Marudhamalai Road widening project. The NGO's primary concern centers on the potential destruction of over 100 native trees, including banyan, peepal, and palmyra species, which are essential habitats for a variety of local wildlife.

Osai argues that the planned four-lane expansion and concrete dividers could severely impede wildlife movement, particularly for animals like deer and elephants, potentially forcing them into residential areas. This disruption could exacerbate human-wildlife conflicts in the Marudhamalai foothills, a region already experiencing increased vehicle parking due to temple visits.

The NGO proposes limiting the road widening up to the Swamy Ayyappan Temple, suggesting that further expansion beyond this point would inflict extensive environmental damage without a commensurate improvement in traffic efficiency. The petition emphasizes the need for ecological considerations in infrastructure development.