BBMP calls public meeting for felling trees

Email reproduced from Hasiru Usiru mailing list:

Dear All,

Please find enclosed an invitation from the DCF (Tree Officer) Bruhat
Blore Mahanagara Palike for a meeting that will decide the "removal" of
trees for the Metro project and "developmental activities in BBMP
area". In some ways it is a small victory of sorts, as this meeting is
called despite the BBMP having issued orders to fell trees in Sheshadri
Road, Palace Road, etc. A joint inspection by the Engineering Staff of
BBMP (Road Widening division) and Tree Officer of BBMP along with ESG
and CIVIC representatives, has probably resulted in this new thinking to
consult the wide public.

There is something very important to notice in the letter however: the
description includes almost every tree in public and private lands in
Bangalore city area. We need to have a formal, prepared and effective
response to these proposals. The meeting is scheduled for Friday 24th
August 2007, and it is a very important forum for us to utilise and
bring some rationale and sense into the ongoing tree felling efforts
(contrast this with the tree growing efforts of the government of the
1980s!).

This evening (21st August, Tuesday) some of us are meeting at ESG to
discuss next steps on the ongoing controversy to privatise Hebbal and
other tanks and public spaces. Considering that most actors who are
involved in protecting tanks/lakes and public spaces are also concerned
about trees in Blore, I request those of you who can make it to please
come to ESG for the meeting.

Kindly spare no thought or effort to attend these planning meeting, even
if at short notice, as we are really running out of time. It is the
planning meetings that give strength to our larger public actions.

Planning Meeting:

*Venue*:

Environment Support Group®
105, East End 'B' Main Road
Jayanagar 9th Block East
Bangalore - 560069.
INDIA
Tel: 91-80-22441977/ 26531339
Email: esg@esgindia. org or esg@bgl.vsnl. net.in
Web: http://www.esgindia .org

*Time*: 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm

Map to reach ESG: http://esgindia. org/contact/ contact.html

Please call 22441977 to confirm you will participate in the planning
meeting.

Thank you for your understanding and potential participation.

Sincerely

Leo F. Saldanha
Environment Support Group

Meeting notice from BBMP:

*BRUHAT **BANGALORE* * MAHANAGARA PALIKE*

No/DCF/PR- /07-08 Office of the
Deputy Conservator of Forest
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike
Bangalore. Dated: 17-08-07

*To,*
Sri /Smt

*Sir/Madam*
* *
*Sub*:- Review of removal of Trees for road widening and for
* *Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.

A meeting is convened *on **24-08-07 at 11.30 am* in the meeting hall
No-1 of BBMP. The agenda of the meeting is as below.
1. Removal of trees for widening of road as per the instructions of Govt.
2. Removal of trees obstructing Metro rail Corporation works.
3. Removal of trees for developmental activities in BBMP area.
You are requested to attend the meeting and to offer your valuable
suggestions in the matter.
Your truly

Deputy Conservator of Forest
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike

*Copy with complements communicated to:**-***
* *
1. The Executive Engineer, (road works) Bangalore with request to attend
the meeting on the said date.