Greens call for saving century old trees

COONOOR: The Greens here have begun a battle to save the century old cypress trees along the national highway at Coonoor as the NH administration is on the verge of felling these trees for road improvement works.

The tall and sturdy cypress trees standing along the roadside from Gandhipuram area to the Coonoor bus stand greet visitors to the hills when tourists drive through the NH, crossing Coonoor on their way to Ooty. The trees are said to have been planted as avenue trees by the British when they laid this mountain road to connect the hills to the plains over a century ago.

Works are being carried out on this road near Gandhipuram area, indicating that these trees will be cut down. Stating that these cypress trees are a heritage of Coonoor town, Mr.B. Muruganandam, honorary treasurer of the Nilgiris Wildlife and Environment Association said that in this era of technology, the national highways department should look for other ways and means to expand or improve the road, but not cut down these trees.