BBMP’s white-topping work destroying Basavanagudi’s old trees, claim locals

BENGALURU: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) white-topping work on Gandhi Bazaar Main Road is affecting old trees due to the use of dynamite to carry out the work, locals and tree experts have alleged.

Locals and tree experts have alleged that BBMP’s White topping work has affected old trees in Basavangudi.

The trees have been damaged due to the use of various chemicals, the colour of the trees has turned from green to brown and the leaves are withering. Environmental experts are struggling to revive them due to the damage.

The BBMP Forest Cell has inspected the trees, but did not clarify whether the trees have been damaged due to the use of dynamite in the white-topping work. The officials also claimed to have surveyed all 12 of the damaged old trees, locals said.

Vijay Nishanth, founder of Project Vruksha

“The BBMP has taken up work under the Smart City project and the entire stretch has been changed now. They initially claimed that they would not harm trees and began the work, used dynamite to blast rocks. Many of the old trees are drying due to chopping of their roots. The big, beautiful trees are among Basavanagudi’s trademarks and it’s unfortunate that they are being destoryed. I do not understand how they make such mistakes in such a huge project. We have given fertilisers and medicines to the roots. These are all 80-year-old trees. The authorities have agreed to maintain them and we have requested that such sort of a mistake should not be committed any further. We want them to save the trees”, said Vijay Nishanth, founder of Project Vruksha.