Here’s a summary of the Hindu article regarding tree felling in Karnataka, within the requested word count:
The Karnataka Forest Department has marked over 2,000 trees for felling in Bengaluru city to facilitate infrastructure projects, primarily road widening and utility infrastructure development. These trees are located across several areas including Mahadevapura, Bommanahalli, and Yelahanka.
The projects include widening of roads under the TenderSURE project, construction of flyovers, and laying of pipelines for Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). A detailed list of trees slated for removal has been published on the Forest Department’s website and displayed at the offices of the Deputy Conservators of Forests (DCF) in Bengaluru Urban, Rural, and Bannerghatta divisions.
The department is inviting objections from the public regarding the proposed felling. Citizens can submit their concerns and suggestions until May 7th, 2024. Objections can be filed with the respective DCF offices, either in person or via email.
The felling requires permission under the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976. The department states that for every tree felled, saplings will be planted elsewhere as compensation, adhering to the Act’s guidelines. However, environmental activists express concern that compensatory plantation doesn’t fully offset the ecological loss, particularly the loss of mature trees and their associated biodiversity.
The scale of the proposed felling has raised concerns among citizen groups and environmentalists who argue that alternative project designs should be considered to minimize tree loss. They advocate for exploring options like redesigning roads to avoid trees, utilizing existing road space more efficiently, and adopting underground utility corridors. The department maintains that the tree felling is unavoidable for essential infrastructure development and that they are committed to minimizing the impact. The final decision on which trees will be felled will be made after considering the objections received from the public.
