Bengalureans take up signature campaign against tree cutting

 Bengalureans on Thursday raised their voices against the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s proposal to axe 112 trees on Jayamahal Road to widen the stretch.

Around 15 volunteers from two groups – Citizens for Bengaluru and Citizens Initiative of Jayamahal Area – collected signatures of Jayamahal Road residents. “We have collected around 300 signatures. Volunteers from various parts of the city joined hands for the campaign. People in the area are not convinced with the idea of road widening and do not want the trees to be axed and so they have shown their support,” said Srinivas Avallili, member of Citizens for Bengaluru.

Abhilasha Sachdev, member of Citizens Initiative of Jayamahal Area, said people were shown a piece of paper which stated that this is an objection to BBMP’s proposal to cut trees to widen Jayamahal Road. “All those we approached have signed against the tree cutting. They have also agreed to email BBMP Forest cell to oppose the cutting of trees.  The campaign will continue tomorrow in Jayamahal, Nandidurg Road and Benson Town. Those participating in the human chain on Saturday will also sign,” she said.

Volunteers said they were collecting signatures as proof. “Officials are capable of manipulating data and say people have not objected to it, like in the case of the steel flyover.

“The paper is proof of the number of voices. More signatures will be collected from across the city and will be submitted to the state government and the BBMP,” said a volunteer.

Human chain tomorrow

After forming a 4.6-km long human chain from Basaveshawara Circle to Mehkri Circle demanding a commuter rail system, Bengalureans are joining hands yet again on Saturday – February 11, from 9 am to 10 am for a kilometre-long human chain from Fun World to Mehkri Circle.

“So far, over 2,000 people have signed up for the campaign on http://bit.ly/jayamahal. The aim is to draw the attention of the people against the acts of the government,” Avalilli said.

BBMP is violating Tree Act of 2015

Vinay Srinivasa from Hasiru Usiru said the act of the BBMP to call for email opinions from people, is a violation of the Karnataka Preservation of Trees (Ammendment) Act, 2014.

 “The Act clearly states that when the government agencies want to cut more than 50 trees, there has to be public consultation. It is fine that the BBMP has asked for email opinion. But that is not public consultation,” he said.