Local citizens petition evokes action to preserve ’Dhoop trees’

Local citizens petition evokes action to preserve ’Dhoop trees’

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 25, 2015: A petition from a resident of Bantwal, to the State government seeking the conservation of ’Halumaddi’ (Dhoop tree) mangroves, has got a positive response from the chief minister’s office.

Ramanna A, an environmentalist from Irandooru at Vittla Kasaba village in Bantwal taluk had written to the chief minister, stating that the forest department had invited tender towards the collection of wax from Halumaddi (Dhoop) trees in Subrahmanya, Uppinangady, Puttur, Sullia, Panja and Beltangady areas, during the tenure of the previous BJP government. But, as those who had availed tender had tapped wax from trees in excess amount thousands of dhoop trees have withered.  The wax is collected randomly, it was instructed to conduct the survey on the number of trees and carry out the marking of trees from which the wax could be tapped.

Conditions mentioned in the tender have been flouted, he had complained in the memorandum dated August 14. Terming it as a loot of forest resources, Rammanna had claimed the move, a violation of the Forest Act and an injustice done to the traditional forest dwellers, who make their livelihood through forest resources.   The contract expired on February 2013, but it was extended till December 2013. Moreover, electric cables have been damaged by the falling of trees causing a great deal of inconvenience to people.

He had requested the government to take action through the forest department, by carrying out the marking of dhoop trees having a thickness of 19.5 cm, to preserve the rare variety. He had also complained in the memorandum that the smuggling of Halumaddi and other forest resources is being carried out unabated in the forest areas of Puttur, Sullia, Guttigaru, Nelyadi, Uppinangady, Belthangady, Narimogru, Subrahmanya, Mani and Kokkada.

In reply to the memorandum, the Under Secretary to the chief minister has issued a letter to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Aranya Bhavan, to take necessary action.  The PCCF has in turn issued a letter to Mangaluru Circle Chief Conservator of Forests, towards necessary steps.