Trees cut to transport windmill blades in Ballari, sparks outrage

BALLARI: Three huge trees were cut down near Sangam Circle in the city to transport windmill blades from Tamil Nadu to Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district. The trees, which were hundreds of years old, were allegedly cut down by a transport company, violating the conditions of permission granted by the Forest department.

The company, JSW, had obtained permission to transport the 82-metre-long windmill blades, but the trees were obstructing the path. Instead of pruning the branches, the company allegedly cut down the trees, sparking outrage. The Forest department has filed an FIR against the transport company and its officials, including Birendra (58), a resident of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The accused have been booked under Section 33 of the Forest Act, 1963.

The Forest department is investigating the incident and taking action against those responsible. The trees that were cut down included a banyan and a neem, which are considered sacred. Locals lamented the loss of the and are demanding stricter action against those responsible.

The windmill blades were being transported from Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu to Aspiri village in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, for installation by JSW company. The forest department had granted permission to prune the branches, but the company allegedly exceeded the permission and cut down the trees.