Madras High Court mandates ₹185 crore release for invasive plant removal

Justices N. Sathish Kumar and K. Rajasekar directed district Collectors to mobilise the substantial allocation from District Mineral Foundation Trust reserves to combat the spread of seemai karuvelam, commonly known as prosopis juliflora, an invasive plant species that has proliferated across large tracts of southern India.

The court's directive underscores growing judicial concern over the ecological impact of the hardy shrub, which has displaced native vegetation and degraded grazing lands across multiple districts. Prosopis juliflora, introduced decades ago for afforestation and fodder purposes, has become a significant environmental challenge requiring coordinated removal efforts.

By tapping Mineral Foundation Trust funds—resources typically generated from mining activities and earmarked for environmental remediation—the bench has identified an existing financial mechanism to support the eradication initiative. District authorities now face the responsibility of implementing removal programmes and ensuring the timely deployment of the allocated resources.

The High Court's intervention reflects mounting pressure to address invasive species management through institutional mechanisms, establishing a precedent for utilising development funds to counter ecological degradation. Environmental experts have long advocated for systematic removal of prosopis juliflora to restore native ecosystems and improve agricultural productivity in affected regions.