Over 400 trees are to be axed for widening three stretches of road near Maduranthakam (Chengelpattu, Tamil Nadu). The three stretches are not even super busy roads which need such widening - Mudukarai-Kadalur, Maduranthakam-Vennangupattu and Cheyyur-Padalam.

The shocking thing is that 50 mature tamarind and palmyra trees have already been cut by the Highways Dept in the last 15 days, acc to newspaper reports today. This has to stop now!

Sops such as planting saplings to compensate are just not good enough. Will these saplings be even nurtured in their critical stage? How many will survive? And where will the present animals, birds, insects and humans go till the saplings grow to adulthood? In any case, urbanisation and development are not about a relay race of just cutting increasingly bigger number of adult trees and then planting saplings as compensation. It is a vicious cycle where we may never see grown trees in future!

Trees ask so little of us for the generosity they show us: nurturing and protecting biodiversity in the region, providing a lush canopy, giving shade to all life, helping in soil and water conservation and climate management. I am not even talking about the aesthetics they provide our eyes, heart and soul. Unfortunately, they have no rights and no voices.

They need us to speak for them. 

Will you please speak for them and sign my petition ? Thank you!

Note: On signing, the petition may prompt you to chip in cash to support. Please note that (1) donating cash is optional (2) Any sum donated does not go to the petition or to the petitioner, it goes to Change.org.