The Confederation of Environment Associations of Nilgiris (CEAN) has formally appealed to District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru. Their urgent request highlights a critical concern: the continued use of heavy earthmoving machinery during the monsoon season significantly heightens the danger of landslides along Ooty’s road margins.
According to Surjit K. Chaudhary, a retired IAS officer and the chairperson and coordinator of CEAN, the Highways Department routinely deploys earthmovers each monsoon to clear storm-induced debris from road edges. However, he emphasizes that this very problem of accumulating debris is a direct consequence of previous road widening projects.
Chaudhary further explained that the initial removal of trees, which are vital for anchoring soil, has directly contributed to the increased risk of landslides. He critically notes that instead of rectifying their past actions, the Highways Department’s current practices are merely exacerbating the existing environmental damage.
He warned that the earthmovers, while clearing debris, are inadvertently destabilizing the surrounding areas even more. Therefore, CEAN insists that the district administration must immediately halt all permissions for the department’s use of such machinery until the monsoon season concludes.