Thousands of trees to be felled for infra works in B’luru, greens warn of protest

BENGALURU: Bengaluru is known as city of parks, but now that image is taking a beating. The city’s green cover has consistently been coming under attack in the name of development. Hundreds of trees are being chopped down every now and then in the name of infrastructure projects like roads, flyovers, Metro etc.

Now, more than 1,000 trees are likely to be felled in the Silicon City in the coming days with many projects expected to be taken up ahead of the Assembly election next year. According to estimates thousands of trees will be chopped for multiple development works.

Environmentalists have expressed outrage at the BBMP as it has proposed to fell thousands of trees for the Airport Metro project and about 58 trees for widening of the Hebbal junction.

Trees chopped for expansion of the Hebbal Road.Environmentalist Ram Prasad said, “Since 2014, there has been talk about the airport Metro line. It is estimated that more than 2,000 trees will have to be cut down. Around 385 trees have been chopped near Lumbini Garden in the first phase. Experts say that if trees are cut down without an alternative plan, people will have to face more natural calamities in the future. The BBMP has to take up compensatory forestry before executing any road widening project. I do not have believe in transplantation of trees, because the survival rate is less than 15 per cent. If the BBMP continues like this way, people of city will end up paying the price for it.”

Environmentalist Ram Prasad.

Another environmentalist, Vijay Nishanth, said, “As many as 53 trees will have to be cut from Cauvery Junction to Mekhri Circle to ease traffic by widening the road. Though the Forest Department had called for public objections, the plan to fell trees has irked environmentalists. A massive protest had been held against steel bridge project too. We are not against any sort development, but the authorities have to follow norms and work towards enhancing greenery in the city. If not, we will stage a massive protest against the Palike.”

Environmentalist Vijay Nishanth has opposed the cutting of trees for widening of the Hebbal Road.

Environmentalists have demanded that BBMP take up compensatory forestry and not just cut down trees in the city for development projects.