Activists say restrictive metallic mesh cages pose hazard to roadside timber in Tiruchi, Kumbakonam

Civic activists in Tiruchi and Kumbakonam have urged the authorities to take away the metallic mesh guards round roadside timber as they’ll adversely have an effect on the vegetation’ progress.

“Metal mesh cages had been put in round saplings to guard them from stray cattle as a part of plantation and greening drives. However, they’re dangerous for totally grown timber and must be eliminated as they prohibit their progress. Over a time frame, these cages turn out to be full of litter,” civic activist Okay.C. Neelamegam informed The Hindu on Thursday.

Mr. Neelamegam, secretary of Thanneer, a voluntary organisation, stated {that a} important variety of timber planted in Tiruchi’s public areas have outgrown their metallic cages.

Thanneer volunteers are eradicating the metallic guards from roadside timber in Ponmalaipatti, Senthanneerpuram, and Tiruverumbur. They apply a mix of purple soil and turmeric to the broken tree elements to assist them heal.

“A metallic cage can prohibit the expansion of the tree trunk, and have an effect on the move of water and oxygen to the basis system. Eventually such timber can pose a security danger to passersby as they might fall throughout sturdy winds or rain,” the activist stated.

In Kumbakonam, Thiruvadikudil Swamigal, founder, Jothimalai Iraipani Thirukkootam, identified that timber planted exterior a college’s campus partitions within the city had been susceptible as they had been broken by metallic cages put in on the time of planting the saplings.

“Though it’s heartening to see the expansion of small saplings into shade-giving timber through the years, we’re involved by the metallic grills which might be tightly certain to the tree trunks, and are chopping into the bark. We have requested the civic authorities to take away these grills, however to date motion has not been taken,” he stated.