Namma Metro axe raises greens’ hackles

Namma Metro axe raises greens’ hackles
Citizens Protest Chopping of Trees Within Lalbagh Premises for Construction Work
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: “We will not stop till they bend!” say citizens. The citizens’ campaign to save trees from the Namma Metro axe intensified after a few residents and activists caught contractors chopping trees in Lalbagh late on Sunday night. Two eucalyptus trees were chopped off as part of the BMRCL Metro construction work
at the Lalbagh West gate. BMRCL plans to cut 19 eucalyptus trees inside Lalbagh.
Residents from Jayanagar, J P Nagar, Basavangudi, Ulsoor and many other parts met the BBMP tree officer of the south sub-division, Venkateshappa and submitted a petition declaring the tree felling at Lalbagh illegal. They requested the tree officer to support the citizens’ campaign and inform Hasiru Usiru members before trees are cut.
The petition quotes the high court order to Environment Support Group (ESG) in 2005 against the proposal to fell 702 trees to ease the traffic problem in the city. The high court, among other things, had ordered that Hasiru Usiru be consulted before trees are felled for development projects. The petition also stresses that the BMRCL construction violates the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act. Since the Metro station at Lalbagh doesn’t figure in the Comprehensive Development Plan for Bangalore, the citizens point that its execution is questionable. “It has come to a point where BMRCL is cutting trees late at night to avoid the citizens’ glare. How are they different from sandalwood thieves? Politicians are insensitive to citizens’ requests,” said Dharma Somashekhar, a J P Nagar resident.
‘EUCAPLYPTUS CAN BE CUT’
“I will conduct an inspection and see if there are any violations in Lalbagh. The eucalyptus or nilgiri trees don’t come under the Karnataka Tree Preservation Act, so they can be left out. The government has approved the Metro project. So, I can’t refuse tree felling now. Permission for felling trees at R V Road hasn’t been granted yet. They have applied to cut 188 trees and prune 200,” said BBMP tree officer, south subdivision, Venkateshappa.
POLICE COMPLAINT
When residents saw BMRCL contractors cutting half of a tree on Monday night, activists gathered around the spot. They called the deputy director of Horticulture, Lalbagh who confirmed that no permission was given to cut it. Hasiru Usiru members will file a police complaint and ask for protection to keep watch on the trees at night.