City's green activists remain unfazed

City's green activists remain unfazed

Vaishalli Chandra. Bangalore



Yet another Eucalyptus tree faced the axe on Tuesday, taking the number of felled trees to three at Lalbagh West. Two others were saved, temporarily, when activists, passers-by and a few auto drivers insisted that the work be stopped.
A sizeable crowd amounted to slow traffic on the Lalbagh West gate- South end circle stretch. High drama ensued, forcing the police to intervene and stop the work.
Even as the public acted as self-appointed guardians of trees, a few hours later at a press conference, the chief minister requested the 'greens' to cooperate and assured that the loss will be compensated with new saplings. But the green brigade remained unfazed. They plan to meet the CM as well. Vinay K Sreenivas, volunteer at Hasiru Usiru, reacting to the CM's statement said, "We will press ahead, meet him and intensify the campaign." Another volunteer, Roshni, added, "It is sad that the CM said there are no alternatives, because there are."
Capt GR Gopinath, independent candidate, Bangalore South, said, "It is shameful that Ananthkumar, Vijayakumar, and state minister Ashok have gone back on their word. All of Bangalore must come out on a peaceful protest. Metro must go underground."
Leo Saldanha, coordinator, Hasiru Usiru, said, "We believe, the CM has been wrongly advised on this issue and has thus taken this stand. c_vaishalli@dnaindia.net
APPIKO TILL MY END: An activist embraces a tree in a demonstration held on Nanda Road to save the boulevard