Plea to inaugurate biodiversity park in Sirumalai

Madurai: Madras high court on Thursday sought a status report from the Dindigul district administration on a plea seeking to inaugurate the biodiversity park established in Sirumalai.A division bench of justice M S Ramesh and justice A D Maria Clete was hearing a public interest litigation filed by an advocate, R Manibharathi.The petitioner stated that the state govt in 2019 announced the establishment of a biodiversity park in Sirumalai, situated 25km away from Dindigul, to promote ecotourism. A fund of 5 crore was allotted to complete the project in three years. The first phase of the project commenced in 2019-20, during which a survey was conducted, and it was identified that Sirumalai was home to 895 kinds of herbs and 536 species of trees. There were also plans to establish an arboretum consisting of more than 100 varieties of trees with botanical names.Though most of the works are completed, there is a delay in putting the biodiversity park to public use. The park would benefit students and researchers. He stated that his representation in this regard was not considered by the authorities. Hence, he moved court. The petitioner also sought a direction to the authorities to provide adequate drinking water facilities and toilet facilities in the park.