Coimbatore Velankulam New Year 2024 Celebration

Coimbatore's New Year celebrations, despite objections from environmentalists, unfolded with grandeur, as the district administration permitted the festivities, ensuring safety measures for the revelers. The celebrations, held from 9 pm to 1 am, witnessed a massive turnout, leading to a traffic gridlock around Velankulam that persisted for nearly 2 hours. Unfortunately, a few ambulances were caught in the congestion, highlighting the challenges posed by the bustling revelry.

In response to the environmental NGO's concerns, specifically regarding the New Year celebrations planned in Velankulam, Coimbatore, the organization raised awareness about the sensitive ecosystem of Velankulam, home to various rare bird species. The NGO emphasized that the grand celebration, featuring 300 drones, 20,000 LED lights, and sound/light displays, could disturb the natural habitat of birds, including coots, storks, snails, stilts, egrets, terns, black storks, and more.

The NGO's plea to the district collector emphasized the ecological significance of Valangulam, where diverse species of birds, including migratory ones, find refuge. Citing the global decline in bird species and the specific threat to birds in shallow areas and banks, the NGO urged the authorities to consider the impact of flying drones and the associated noise and light disruptions on the avian inhabitants.

Furthermore, the environmental organization drew attention to the Tamil Nadu government's recent declaration of 11 new Ramsar sites, highlighting the government's commitment to preserving ecologically rich water bodies. The NGO urged the authorities to align with this conservation effort and avoid contradictory activities that could tarnish the government's reputation.

Despite these concerns, the district administration proceeded with the New Year celebrations, leading to significant traffic congestion and unfortunate delays for emergency services. The clash between the desire for grand celebrations and environmental conservation underscores the ongoing challenge of striking a balance between festivities and ecological responsibility in public events.