Log on to stop BBMP from cutting trees

Log on to stop BBMP from cutting trees
BENGALURU


The petition available online has urged the Bengalureans to be part of planning and deci- sion making processes
Bengalureans can now have their say on issues like tree-cutting during road widening projects by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

Two NGOs, the Environment Support Group, and CIVIC Bangalore have started an online petition to a BBMP committee oversee ing tree-cutting decisions for the project. The petition available online has urged the Bengalureans to be part of planning and decision making processes, to help prioritise safety of cyclists, pedestrians, senior citizens, children and differently abled.

The petitioners feel that with intelligent road design it is possible to safeguard lives, livelihoods, homes, heritage and green cover of the city, which is largely provided by avenue trees.

The BBMP, on directions from the High Court of Karnataka had constituted a nine-member ‘Sustainable Development Empowered Technical Advisory Committee’ in July 2008, under the chairmanship of Yellapa Reddy, a retired officer of the Indian Forest Service. As per the court’s order, the committee has to take public opinion into account and pass orders on the advice of the experts. The court had directed the BBMP and other agencies working on infrastructural development to consult the committee.

As per the court’s directive, the petitioners of the original litigation, ESG and CIVIC were supposed to be allowed to observe the proceedings of the committee and get a copy of the minutes of the proceedings.

Thus far, however, they have not been allowed to attend meetings. At the same time it was also observed that the BBMP and other respondents in the litigation were carrying on with road widening and developmental work in violation of the HC directions.