Kavaretti : Lakshadweep locals piled palm leaves at varied sites on the island to protest an order imposing fine for heaping the palm fallouts. The protest named “Ola Madal(Palm Leaves)” was organized by Lakshadweep Forum.
Participants heaped palm leaves in open spaces and slept over them to mark protest. The new order bans dumping palm leaves or coconut shells in one’s home surroundings or any public space. According to the new order, if palm leaves or shells are found within 25 meters of a dwelling, the house owner would be punishable with a fine from Rs 300 to Rs 5000.
Given the island’s thickly palmed landscape, the residents ask what choice they have in the situation. The administration should first make arrangements to incinerate waste before coming out with an order like this, said protesting families.
