Protest against cutting of 30-year-old tree

Local residents, activists and representatives of Kadu Malleshwara Friends Circle protested against the cutting of a 30-year-old mahogany tree in Malleswaram on Friday.

The tree was cut down by the staff of Kalyan Jewellers.

B K Shivaram, a retired police officer, termed chopping of the tree a criminal offence. The staff claimed they had permission from the BBMP's Forest Cell to cut the tree on December 5. The protesters dispute the claim and plan to file an RTI application. The staff also claimed they would plant 100 saplings.

Actor Shivarajkumar, who had come to inaugurate the showroom, planted a sapling to pacify the protesters. He said chopping the tree was wrong and clarified that he didn't know who had cut it down.