BMP and Forest Dept lock horns over tree felling

No tree-felling for now, says forest dept
The Times of India

Bangalore: Following pressure from environment groups, the forest department has issued a temporary ban on felling of avenue trees in select roads of Bangalore.

The felling was part of the BCC’s project which has planned to fell hundreds of trees in the city, in its bid to widen roads to decongest traffic.

The forest department has issued a directive to temporarily suspend the treefelling drive on select roads, including M.G. Road, Vani Vilas Road, Basavanagudi and Residency Road. Forest department sources said operations have been stalled there for now.

Representatives of various organisations and individuals had put pressure on the BCC to stop treefelling. In fact, NGOs recently organised a ‘human chain’ to protect a full-grown tree on Residency Road.

“Following representations and police complaints against the BCC, the forest department was forced to intervene and stop the felling,” co-ordinator, Environment Support Group, said.

The BCC, however, justifies its stand. “Trees are priceless. But human lives are more. Felling is being carried out in accordance with law, weighing the benefit and nuisance value of trees,’’ BCC commissioner Jyothiramalingam said.