‘None of the trees cut was in the path of traffic’

‘None of the trees cut was in the path of traffic’
The Times of India

What’s the update on the felling of trees?
The Forest Department has stayed felling of all trees at present. Despite this, the Bangalore City Corporation (BCC) is continuing tree-felling. Last night, an old tamarind tree was felled on MG Road.

Who is the final authority on tree felling?
The Forest Department is designated to authorise tree cutting. The BCC commissioner can authorise cutting only under an emergency provision where a tree poses a threat to life. Cutting one or two trees is justifiable. On Residency Road, none of the trees cut was in the path of traffic. On Bull Temple Road, 150 trees were designated for cutting — all outside the traffic zone. It was stopped by the public.

What’s the correct procedure for tree-cutting?
Before felling, the wood value of the tree must be notified. Check with the Forest Department, or www.esgindia.org for instructions on the legitimate way for felling trees. Then the wood must be auctioned. None of these procedures has been followed in this case.

LEO SALDANHA
Environmentalist
On the recent spate of tree-cutting on city roads