OSAI

On 29.04.2011 afternoon OSAI received a call on tree felling at Lawley road, Coimbatore. Our volunteers Mr. Mahesh Prasanna and Mr. Sakthi Rajan, went to the spot to inspect. A tree which was blocking the front view of a newly built commercial cum residential complex in the Maruthamalai main road was partially felled. On further enquiry it was identified that no prior permission was taken from RDO. The incident had also reached Thasildar and VAO arrived at the spot as per his instruction. As per the enquiry by VAO it was learnt that the building owner had influenced the area lineman to fell the part of the tree which obstructs the complex's front view. But the lineman stated that he pruned only the branches which were in contact with power lines. But it was very clear that no other trees which were near the power line were pruned except this particular tree.

At the same time the owner of the complex (a doctor) arrived at the spot and he stated that he only told the lineman to partially cut the tree in front of his complex. Also he stated that he only planted the tree twenty years ago. The lineman was not accepting his mistake and he was supporting the complex owner and he was quarrelling with OSAI volunteers. Finally the VAO had received a written statement from the complex owner all about the tree felling incident. He then promised OSAI volunteers that he would take suitable action against the complex owner.