Attempt to fell tree foiled by PFA activists

Red-faced over green cover!
Attempt to fell tree foiled by PFA activists
Vijay Times News

Bangalore: Environmentalists intervened to save a full-grown flowering tree from being felled by a resident of Rajajinagar on Thursday in utter disregard of the laid-down norms. The incident led to some anxious moments for the activists while causing embarrassment to the resident who was caught on the wrong foot after claiming to be related to a top politician.

According to activists of People for Animals, the resident was about to get rid of the tree near Ram Mandir , in Rajajinagar , apparently irritated over the huge piles of leaves and flowers shed by the tree.

On being confronted, the person, who did not have the necessary permission from the Forest Department or the BCC, took an adamant stand under the cover that he was related to a senior politician.

After having faced some anxious moments, the activists finally sought police intervention while informing the authorities of the matter . F elling of any tree without permission from the Forest Department on valid grounds is a serious offence, according to the forest officials. M oreo ver , it is mandatory that two saplings are planted and nurtured for the next two years for each tree felled, they added.

"It is a huge Pelto Phorum serrugineum tree which is presently blooming with yellow flowers," an activist pointed out while lamenting that the tree faced the axe on flimsy grounds.

T aking a serious note of the incident, Deputy Conservator of F orests (Bangalore, Urban) Parameshwar , said that he would direct the officials concerned to take necessary action after looking into the matter .

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister s office clarified that the offender was not related to the CM.