5 days ago
Electric poles over palm saplings at Vedaranyam beach raise concern
The installation of new electric poles along the Sannathi Kadarkarai Salai, the route from the Vedaranyeswarar temple to the sea, over palm trees and other sapplings planted a few years ago by Forest Department, activists, and Vedaranyam Municipality has caused concern among environmental activists and local residents.
The stretch, historically used during Aadi Amavasai and other auspicious days for the temple deity's ceremonial sea dip, is a popular evening gathering spot among residents and visitors. The route ends at the Vedaranyam beach, a local tourist attraction.
In recent weeks, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. (TNPDCL) has erected about 20 poles — 12 of them over a 400-metre stretch — close to the beach, ostensibly to provide lighting. However, activists say the location of the poles was unsuitable as the area was part of a green cover initiative. The Forest Department and the local municipality had planted over 300 palm and around 108 other saplings five years ago along this stretch.
Nam Tamilar Katchi's Sutruchuzhal Pasarai district secretary P. Jagadeesan, who has been maintaining the palm trees across the stretch for the past five years, said it was worrying as four trees were cut to make way for the poles. 'This is a sensitive area with growing palm and other native species. We have approached the District Collector to intervene in the matter,' he said. If the palm trees grow, they would touch the overhead live wires, he added.
When contacted, a senior TNPDCL official said the matter would be examined.
