Civic organisation opposes move to convert green park into market

The Inherency Protection League has urged the State government and Tiruchi Corporation to drop the move to convert a 22-acre park in Edamalaipatti Pudur into a vegetable market, citing the loss of trees and vital public amenities.

K. Chandrasekar, coordinator of the Inherency Protection League, told presspersons in Tiruchi on Tuesday that the park — developed in 2013 with public and government funding —features medicinal tree species, a walking track, an open-air gym, and a meditation zone.

“Due to poor maintenance, the park gradually deteriorated. But instead of restoring it, the Corporation now plans to convert it into an integrated vegetable market,” he said.

Mr. Chandrasekar alleged that several trees were being cut under the pretext of transplantation. “Many have simply been axed and left on the ground. Replacing them with ornamental saplings elsewhere offers no real ecological value,” he said.

He questioned the necessity of a new market when a ₹110-crore facility in Kallikudi remains underutilised and over 300 acres of land is available near the upcoming Panjapur bus terminus.

Corporation Commissioner V. Saravanan told The Hindu that the land was not officially classified as a park. “Trees are not being felled but transplanted. For every tree removed, 10 will be planted. The project was approved by the district administration and the District Green Committee,” he added.