Tree lovers unite for Lalbagh

Tree lovers unite for Lalbagh
BENGALURU


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● METRO OFF TRACK: CONTRACTORS CUT TREES ON THE SLY?

Members of HasiruUsiru on Tuesday alleged that the BMRCL has not technically acquired 1135.18 sq metres of land at Lalbagh as the deputy commissioner (urban) has not given his permission for the acquisition.
After holding a meeting with BMRCL authorities and the police on Tuesday evening, the members said that the state government has permitted them to purchase the Lalbagh land from the horticulture department based on the value fixed by the government. Since the poll code of conduct is in force, the deputy commissioner (urban) is yet to issue the permission, they claimed.

The members have also lodged a complaint with Siddapura police who in turn have assured them that law and order will be maintained at any cost. They claim that the Metro authorities have violated a host of judgments and directions of the high court, which clearly mandate strict compliance with provisions of the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act and Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act.

“Since Lalbagh is a biodiversity and ecological park the trees in the park are of special importance. Permission to cut them is a must,” said Leo F. Saldanha, coordinator, Environment Support Group.

The activists’ outburst comes in the wake of a hideand-seek game the contractors hired for felling the trees for BMRCL seem to be playing with tree lovers in the city. On two occasions they entered Lalbagh quietly in the night to chop trees.

Following this, police constables had to be posted at the Lalbagh garden to save the trees.

Despite the posting of the policemen, the contractors managed to sneak in again on Tuesday afternoon and chopped another tree, the activists claimed.

“In fact when they were chopping a tree in the afternoon, the nearby residents saw them. When they realised that they had been spotted, they got into a truck and ran away,” said Roshni, volunteer, Hasiru Usiru, a network of concerned individuals.

On Sunday night, the contractors chopped a tree and were working on a second when they were spotted by residents. On Monday night they managed to chop another tree before they were stopped by residents of neighbouring areas.

The love for their natural heritage compelled the tree lovers to make a representation to Mr Krishna Bhat, deputy commissioner of police, Bengaluru South and Mr Ramesh Chandra, assistant commissioner of police, Jayanagar, to protect public property and trees from such illegal activity. The police has assured them that the Metro authorities will not implement the Southern part of the project that involves destruction of Lalbagh and Lakshman Rao parks till the Metro authorities provide documents to demonstrate the legality of their activity.