Greens get a breather, for now

Greens get a breather, for now

Staff Reporter
BANGALORE: Environmentalists who have been up in arms against the felling of trees by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) in and around Lalbagh have got a breather, but only till next Tuesday.

The Karnataka High Court’s has directed BMRCL to cease felling trees on R.V. Road, from Lalbagh West Gate to Rajalakshmi Kalyana Mantapa, till May 12. BMRCL, on its part, has given an undertaking to the court that it will not cut any more trees in Lalbagh.

A Division Bench comprising Justice N. Kumar and Justice Keshavanarayana passed the order on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition by Mahaveer Ranka, Sujay, Narayanaswamy and two others challenging the decision of BMRCL to fell trees within the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens and on R.V. Road, from Lalbagh West Gate to Rajalakshmi Kalyana Mantapa.

When the matter came up for hearing on Thursday, the petitioners urged the court to stay the felling of trees in Lalbagh, saying that any tree felling in the botanical garden was a violation of the Parks Preservation Act. They said apart from eucalyptus, other varieties of trees were also being cut.

The Bench asked counsel for the petitioners to visit the place and then make submissions. It adjourned further hearing till 4.45 p.m. When the proceedings resumed, counsel said that all the trees had been cut. The Bench said it wanted the petitioners to verify facts before asking for an order of stay.

When the Bench sought to know how many trees were cut, the Government Advocate said 19 eucalyptus trees had been cut and permission was being sought to fell one more tree. BMRCL then undertook not to cut any more trees in Lalbagh.

BMRCL Law Officer Dwarakanath submitted to the court that eight trees on RV. Road had been pruned. He said several other trees would have to be pruned on the road to make way for earthmovers to operate.

He also urged the Bench not to pass any further order till a verdict was passed on a PIL on the metro project. He urged the court to permit pruning of trees on R.V. Road. He said any adverse order would come in the way of the project. The Bench made it clear that it would not come in the way of the project.