Citizens aghast at plan for hall in mini-forest

Citizens aghast at plan for hall in mini-forest
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: While the authorities continue to harp on conserving trees, they also continue to cut the existing trees.

The residents of BDA developed HRBR Layout, also known as Kalyannagar, are fighting to save their mini forest.

Though Civic Amenity site 4 in HRBR Layout I Block, is marked as park in CDP 95 and 2005, it has been allotted to Beary’s Welfare Association for social and culture activities.

The residents say that this is their only lung space. The site is a triangular patch of land with nearly 500 fully grown trees.

The residents have been voicing their objection to the allotment and tirelessly writing to the BMP and BDA, but all in vain.

The residents have been running from pillar to post to retain the mini forest. The letters sent by the BDA to the Residents’ Association also say that the site is marked as a park.

Even the BDA’s recent letter, dated January 5, 2006, states that the land use of the site was for park.

But the BDA’s letter dated, March 9, 2005 said the site has been allotted to Beary’s Welfare Association.

The forest department had planted the trees 20 years ago, which was much before the formation of the layout.

On the residents’ request, the forest department conducted an inspection and confirmed the existence of nearly 500 fully grown trees on the site.

The forest department in its letter dated September 9, 2005 recommended that cutting of trees in the mini-forest should not be permitted.

Residents argue that in Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) 1995, the land use of the site was marked as park.

Even in the revised CDP 2005, the land use is marked as ‘for park and green spaces.’

‘‘The mini forest is the only lung space for us. It is marked as a park in both the CDPs. How can they cut the trees there,’’ asks K N Prahlad.

‘‘Further it is not even a vacant land. The BDA has committed a big procedural lapse by permitting violation of land use,’’ K B Valleesan says.

The residents have conducted a signature campaign with the result of signatures from nearly 500 people, residing in the area.

‘‘The petition has been signed from people in 90 houses, schools, hospitals, post offices and others in the locality,’’ he added.