KMF to fell 1,500 trees for its farm at Hesaraghatta

 Environmentalists and green activists have expressed concern over the felling of 1,500 trees to build the Karnataka Milk Federation’s Bull Mother Farm.

The state government gave permission for building the Bull Mother Farm in 2013 and sanctioned 100 acres for it at Byatha, a village in Hesaraghatta on the city’s outskirts.

When asked, Hesaraghatta KMF joint director B Mayanna explained: “Of the sanctioned land, 75 acres will be used for growing grass while administration and research centres will come up on 25 acres.

We need to clear the trees to construct buildings and for grass farming.”
Villagers questioned the need for felling the trees arguing that the project should not harm the trees.

“KMF has schemes meant for helping dairy farmers. Now they are felling thousands of trees and nobody knows what research they will do here. Their help to farmers need not come at such a huge cost,” said Ramanna, a resident of Byatha village.

However, the joint director said afforestation will be taken up to compensate for the damage caused to environment.

“We have already deposited Rs 5 lakh with the Forest Department which will plant 5,000 saplings, of which 600 have been planted already,” he said.

Ramanna said the Bull Mother Farm will also harm the Byatha Lake which supports a host of birds. “By felling trees, officials will damage rich flora and fauna. Let them identify a different site to build the farm,” said environmentalist Manjunath.