The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has said college students and school NSS students can be involved in efforts to remove Seemai Karuvel (Prosopis juliflora) trees, if they volunteer.
The direction came in a public interest petition filed by MDMK general secretary Vaiko, who alleged the invasive trees absorb groundwater and reduce oxygen and humidity, thereby increasing heat and harming agriculture and the environment.
Earlier, on March 18, a division bench had ordered that the trees be uprooted and replaced with native species, and said volunteers and corporate entities could participate alongside the government. The court also directed that the removal work be completed before the next monsoon begins.
The bench further reiterated that local bodies must remove the trees within their respective jurisdictions through their own administrations. The matter has been posted for further hearing on July 17.
