Traffic solutions snarl around trees

Traffic solutions snarl around trees
BCC May Have Special Horticulture Officer To Look Into Green Issues
The Times of India

Bangalore: If traffic-related infrastructure in the city has to be developed, the 702 trees identified for felling would have to be chopped in one swoop, says a report prepared by the traffic police in tandem with the erstwhile BATF. But for now, as an off-shoot of the brouhaha raised by environmentalists recently, it is status quo on the 702 trees.

But statistics is reassuring. The forest department has afforestation plans of 50,000 trees in the course of the year. And, sources in the department add that 1,14,600 trees have been planted from 2000 to early 2005.

So far, 81 trees have been chopped — 43 in south Bangalore and 28 in east — as have 182 branches across the city. Further chopping was truncated when BCC commissioner Jothiramalingam last month gave in to pressure from environmentalists and ordered another thorough appraisal. The BCC council even passed a resolution that a special horticulture officer be posted in the corporation to address green issues.

Says Narayanswamy, chief horticulture officer, BCC, “There is a programme for ‘Hasiru Bangalore’ in June, we are concerned about the green cover of the city. Rest assured, it will not be depleted as feared by the environmentalists. In 2004 alone, we planted 21,700 trees.’’ Authorities in the horticulture department also inform us that discussions are on at the “highest level’’ and that officers are inspecting old and infested trees, area by area.

“On Residency Road, people have been complaining of slowmoving traffic, BMTC buses obstructing the way, etc. Some trees are 6-7 feet from the foot-path and buses have to take a deviation because of this and hence the trees there have to be removed,’’ says a horticulture expert at BCC.

There is also a dictum laid down by the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act that authorises the tree officer to grant permission for tree felling.

Facing the axe
Sampige Road — Rajiv Gandhi Circle to Sampige Talkies — 30 trees
M.G. Road, northern side — 8 trees
CMH Road — from Adarsha to B.M. Sri Circle — 33 trees
Tippasandra main road, right side — 28 trees
Bannerghatta Road — J.D. Mara junction to city limits — 20 trees
Sampige Road — 1st cross to 18th cross — 36 trees
Malleswaram 5th cross road — Geethanjali junction to K.C.General junction — 26 trees
FTI Road, near Bharat Petroleum — 27 trees
Dr Rajkumar Road — Navrang circle to Entrance — 35 trees
Lalbagh West gate to Ramakrishna Ashram — 63 trees