432 trees to be axed

As many as 432 trees will be felled for the widening of National Highway 234 that passes through Mudigere taluk.

NH 234 is being widened from Handpost to Morarji Desai Residential School in Kottigehara. Already the work on 16 minor bridges from Handpost to Kottigehara is in progress. Once the minor bridges are completed, the work on widening the road will commence.

The 17-km stretch from Handpost to Kottigehara has 432 jackfruit, mango, jamun and other valuable trees. The National Highway authorities are waiting for clearance from the Forest Department to fell the trees.

Environmentalists have urged the National Highway authorities to plant at least 3,000 saplings and nurture them for felling 432 valuable trees.

The trees beside the highway are providing shelter to the birds and monkeys. The felling of the trees will affect the birds, said environmentalists.