BBMP embarks on tree cutting spree, plants saplings

BBMP embarks on tree cutting spree, plants saplings
Tuesday June 26 2007 09:53 IST

BANGALORE: After the Saturday tree branch crash that killed V G Kulkarni, RTO Inspector, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has intensified the tree cutting and pruning spree.

The civic agency has, in the past two months, felled 113 trees and pruned 416 branches.

The BBMP’s Forest Cell had earlier axed 1,500 trees from the past one year on one pretext or the other.

“We have received over 221 complaints and requests from people about trees posing danger to their lives and property. In the last two days, the department has attended to six trees. We have cut all 27,000 trees in the peripheral areas,” Tree Officer, BBMP Forest Cell, Udupudi Krishna told this website’s newspaper.

In the past two days, the pruning operations have been stepped up on Dr Rajkumar Road, near High Ground Police station, Vijayanagar Club Road, Srinagara, Sankey Road, Indiranagar HAL 3rd Stage, Padmanabhanagar and Anil Kumble Circle.

“All this apart, the drive has been intensified in many arterial roads as well. We have enlisted the support of many NGOs. They will survey the trees on the main and arterial roads and submit a detailed report to the department in a couple of days. Based on the report action will be initiated,” he added.

The department is merely not felling and pruning trees. They are simultaneously planting saplings as well.

In one year the department has planted a lakh saplings across the City, whereas last year it has planted 25,000. Since World Environment Day (June 5) till date 27,000 saplings have been planted by the BBMP.

“We have also distributed 4,500 medicinal plants to various individuals to be planted. Organisations and individuals since June 5 have collected over 500 saplings and planted them in various parts of the City,” Udupudi added.