following the conditions imposed, a division bench of justices N Kirubakaran and B Pugalendhi observed that the allegations levelled in the petition are not substantiated. Recording the undertaking given by the commissioner, the judges dismissed the petition.

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CITY
Madras HC dismisses plea against cutting trees
TNN | Updated: Oct 22, 2020, 13:59 IST
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MADURAI: The Madras high court has dismissed a plea which sought the Tuticorin Ccrporation not to cut down trees under the guise of infrastructure development, after it was informed that Miyawaki forests are being set up at two places in Tuticorin and 10 saplings are planted for cutting down of every single tree.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by K Selva Kumar who sought not to cut the standing trees at the roadsides of Tuticorin town. According to the petitioner, the corporation had cut down nearly 300 trees while they had obtained permission to cut only 64 trees.
Corporation commissioner V P Jeyaseelan, who appeared before the court through video-conferencing submitted that they had obtained permission for cutting 260 trees, which are located in three different places. He further submitted that they are uprooting the trees and replanting the same, wherever possible as the success rate of the replanted trees is only 30%.
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The commissioner also submitted that they are setting up Miyawaki forests in two different places and the project is being carried out under his direct supervision. He also undertook that for cutting one tree, 10 saplings would be planted and they would be maintained properly.
Taking cognizance of the fact that the corporation had obtained permission to cut down the trees and following the conditions imposed, a division bench of justices N Kirubakaran and B Pugalendhi observed that the allegations levelled in the petition are not substantiated. Recording the undertaking given by the commissioner, the judges dismissed the petition.