Tree saved from the axe

Residents of Shankara Puram in Basavanagudi saved a huge rain tree from the axe near the Shankar Mutt yesterday, reports The Hindu. The 60-year old rain tree stands on a piece of land that was originally meant for a park. The Mutt acquired it as part of its complex some years ago and has now sold the land for Rs. 10 million to a private individual who wishes to build a house there. Terming the sale of the land as illegal, resident Col. S S Rajan, who along with his family did a repeat of the Appiko movement to save the tree, vows to go to court to save the tree. However, one branch of the tree was still chopped off under police protection.