Valarmathi v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 01.04.2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Valarmathi ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The District Collector, Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi.
2.The District Forest Officer, Thoothukudi Forest Range Division, Thoothukudi.
3.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District.
4.The Executive Engineer, Agricultural Engineering Department, Collectorate Campus, Thoothukudi.
... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first, third and fourth respondents to consider and dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 18.03.2026 seeking permission to cut and remove dry and Page No. 1 of 5
unproductive palm trees in the petitioner's patta land comprised in Survey No.99/1A situated at Vembar Village, Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District, within a time frame fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Sabbanikarburajothi For Respondents : Mr.P.Thambidurai Government Advocate
O R D E R
The Writ Petition is filed seeking a direction to the first, third and fourth respondents to consider the petitioner's representation and grant permission to cut and remove the dry and unproductive palm trees standing in the petitioner's patta lands.
2. The learned counsel for the petitioner contends that some of the palm trees in the petitioner's land are dead, fallen and unproductive and therefore, it is necessary to cut and remove the same and plant alternative trees. Though the petitioner has submitted a representation in this regard, the same has not been considered and hence, the petitioner is before this Court.
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3. When the matter came up for admission, the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents would submit that palm trees, in general, cannot be termed as unproductive. However, if there are any dead, damaged or dried trees, the petitioner has to approach the appropriate Committee constituted as per G.O.(Ms) No.238, Agriculture - Farmers Welfare [Tho.Ka.1(2)] Department, dated 12.09.2025 and the Committee will pass appropriate orders.
4. In view of the above, this Writ Petition is disposed of on the following terms:
i. The petitioner shall file an application before the District Collector, who is the President of the District Level Committee constituted as per G.O.(Ms) No.238, Agriculture - Farmers Welfare [Tho.Ka.1(2)] Department, dated 12.09.2025, in accordance with the procedure prescribed under the said G.O., within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a web copy of this order, without waiting for a certified copy.
ii. Upon such application being filed, a report shall be called for from the Block Level Committee as per G.O.(Ms) No. Page No. 3 of 5
238, Agriculture - Farmers Welfare [Tho.Ka.1(2)] Department, dated 12.09.2025 and thereafter, appropriate orders shall be passed as expeditiously as possible. iii. No costs.
01.04.2026 JEN To 1.The District Collector, Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi.
2.The District Forest Officer, Thoothukudi Forest Range Division, Thoothukudi.
3.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District.
4.The Executive Engineer, Agricultural Engineering Department, Collectorate Campus, Thoothukudi.
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D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY , J.
JEN 01.04.2026 Page No. 5 of 5