Palike goes on a tree-felling spree

Palike goes on a tree-felling spree
Tuesday July 3 2007 15:15 IST

BANGALORE: Depleting natural resources and a commensurately rapid increase in the number of high rise buildings would soon make the city a ‘concrete’ mess. Plans of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to fell trees, rather than save them, in the name of development have further caught the people’s ire.

The BBMP had reconsidered its felling-drive on four major roads- Sheshadri Road, Nruputhunga Road, Race Course Road and MG Road. When operations for the construction of the Metro Rail on MG Road began, people lobbied for diligent conservation of the remaining greenery. Transplantation was introduced as a measure. But, when it came to Race Course Road, the Palike’s enthusiasm completely died down. In a frenzy, the Palike put 30 luxurious trees to axe in one street alone for purposes of road widening. Nature lovers point out that it would take half a century to see such trees again in their present form.

The plans of the BBMP, Traffic Department and the government, to introduce a dedicated lane system for autorickshaws and two wheelers to ensure that the age - old trees still be retained too fell to the woodcutter’s axe. BBMP officials have washed their hands off citing compulsory implementation of their superiors’ orders.

However, a senior official explained, quoting a technical reason, that transplanting adult trees was delayed due to the presence of high voltage Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) lines.

Officials from the BBMP Forest Cell had assured that these trees would be relocated after BESCOM shifts their seven KB lines running underground. But it now becomes clear that the carrot of transplantation was offered to pacify tree lovers.

Experts say that the adult trees serve as a precious balancing factor in the already emaciated urban ecology system. The Palike would probably not care in the least.Palike goes on a tree-felling spree
Tuesday July 3 2007 15:15 IST

BANGALORE: Depleting natural resources and a commensurately rapid increase in the number of high rise buildings would soon make the city a ‘concrete’ mess. Plans of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to fell trees, rather than save them, in the name of development have further caught the people’s ire.

The BBMP had reconsidered its felling-drive on four major roads- Sheshadri Road, Nruputhunga Road, Race Course Road and MG Road. When operations for the construction of the Metro Rail on MG Road began, people lobbied for diligent conservation of the remaining greenery. Transplantation was introduced as a measure. But, when it came to Race Course Road, the Palike’s enthusiasm completely died down. In a frenzy, the Palike put 30 luxurious trees to axe in one street alone for purposes of road widening. Nature lovers point out that it would take half a century to see such trees again in their present form.

The plans of the BBMP, Traffic Department and the government, to introduce a dedicated lane system for autorickshaws and two wheelers to ensure that the age - old trees still be retained too fell to the woodcutter’s axe. BBMP officials have washed their hands off citing compulsory implementation of their superiors’ orders.

However, a senior official explained, quoting a technical reason, that transplanting adult trees was delayed due to the presence of high voltage Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) lines.

Officials from the BBMP Forest Cell had assured that these trees would be relocated after BESCOM shifts their seven KB lines running underground. But it now becomes clear that the carrot of transplantation was offered to pacify tree lovers.

Experts say that the adult trees serve as a precious balancing factor in the already emaciated urban ecology system. The Palike would probably not care in the least.