Tamil Nadu - Udhagamandalam

Plea for law on land purchase

Udhagamandalam: The local people should not be blamed for the environmental degradation that has taken place in this hill station, said Padmanabhan the Deputy General Secretary, PMK.

In a letter sent to the Chief Minister, he said that the people of the district lived in harmony with nature.

Claiming that they will never be responsible for the destruction of the environment, he said that the government should introduce a special law under which only those who have been residing in the Nilgiris for over twenty years can purchase land or construct houses, shopping complexes etc.

He alleged that to a large extent those who have come from other states and countries are to blame for the environmental problems in the hill station.

They have purchased land at various places and put up huge hotels and resorts.

In the process the ecology has been affected.

Adverting to the ongoing demolition of unauthorised constructions here, Mr.Padmanabhan contended that the ordinary people were not familiar with the rules.

The new building rules had come into force only to prevent skyscrapers and large buildings.

However it had affected the ordinary people who were living here for long.

The local people are not only being deprived of their rights but also forced to leave the district due to lack of employment opportunities and industries and stringent rules relating to protection of flora and fauna.

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