Residents take out padayatra to save trees

Residents take out padayatra to save trees

Staff Reporter
BANGALORE: Protesting against the proposed tree felling for Namma Metro work by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL), over 200 citizens, mostly women and children, took out a padayatra on R.V. Road (Nanda Talkies Road) here on Sunday.

Organised by Hasiru Usiru, the walk started from Lalbagh West Gate in protest against the proposed felling of trees on R.V. Road for the Metro project.

The protestors urged the Government to stay the Metro alignment in Bangalore South and evaluate proposed alternatives.

Over the past week, four protests have been staged in the wake of the felling of trees and the demolition of Lalbagh’s compound wall to pave way for a Metro station.

Among others who participated in the walk were the Coordinator of Environmental Support Group (ESG) Leo Saldanha, MLA N.L. Narendra Babu, faculty member at the Indian Institute of Management Rajeev Gowda.

Online petition
Sources in Hasiru Usiru said an online petition, addressed to the Chief Minister, is also being circulated in which over 2,500 people have signed.

The environmentalists are planning to meet B.S. Yeddyurappa with the petition and propose alternatives to the Metro alignment in Bangalore South.

Discussion
Hasiru Usiru is planning to call for public consultations and invite officials from BMRCL to discuss the issue.

The consultation will elicit public opinion and try to persuade the Government to stop felling of trees by considering re-alignment of the southern reach of the Metro project or take it underground.