Hasiru Usiru protests tree felling

Hasiru Usiru protests tree felling
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Members of Hasiru Usiru have alleged that many trees are being felled unnecessarily on Kanakapura Road. Trees in excess of the ones slated to be cut for widening of Kanakapura Road, are being cut.

Rohan D’Souza of Hasiru Usiru said "a total of 208 trees have been identified to be cut for this project by the Public Works Department. However, the contractor who was assigned the task of cutting trees, has been removing trees which are not meant to be cut and are not on the list of 208 trees," he said.

Due to intervention by members of Hasiru Usiru, the deputy Conservator of Forests - Urban, has put a halt to the cutting and has ordered an inspection.

Members of Hasiru Usiru plan to accompany forest department officials on this inspection and ensure that only trees slated to be chopped according to road plans are cut.

They also suggested that a proper system of identification of these trees be implemented and followed, with monitoring by forest department officials.

"When members of Hasiru Usiru intervened, the contractor behaved aggressively and has since been making threats to the members, including physical violence. His behaviour shows he clearly felt threatened as he was being exposed," he added.