40 Peltophorum Species trees, chopped by Mysore City Corporation for widening of Hyder Ali Road between SP office circle and Kalikamba temple in Mysuru on Saturday night.
Credit: DH Photo/Anup Ragh T
Mysuru: As many as 40 lush, full-grown Peltophorum species trees, known for providing ample shade, were felled by the Mysore City Corporation on Saturday night (wee hours of April 13) to facilitate the widening of Hyder Ali Road between the SP Office Circle and Kalikamba Temple in Mysuru.
K N Basavaraj, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) of the Mysuru Territorial Division, said, “The MCC felled these trees for road widening after obtaining permission from the Forest Department. The approval was granted in accordance with the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976.”
K J Sindhu, Deputy Commissioner (Development) of the MCC said, “We are undertaking the widening of the existing 10-meter-wide road to a 30-meter width, including a 2.5-meter median, over a 350-meter stretch. This project was originally proposed as a four-lane double road in MUDA’s Master Plan 2031 long ago.”
“The tender was finalised, and the work order was issued to the contractor back in December12 2024. However, there was a delay in obtaining the necessary permission from the Forest Department and it was granted on March 25, 2025. The contractor who secured the tender carried out the tree cutting along the footpaths on both sides of the road from 6am on Sunday,” she added.
“The MCC has already paid Rs 7.5 lakh to the Forest Department on March 25, 2025 to plant ten trees in place of one tree cut (1:10) now. 400 trees will be cultivated on either side of the road by the forest department and 50 on the median by MCC. The work is being taken up at a cost of Rs 4 crore from SFC grant of Narasimharaja Constituency MLA Tanveer Sait,” Sindhu said.
Major General (Retd.) Sudhir G Vombatkere said, “Peltophorum trees, with their stunning yellow blossoms set against dark green foliage, not only offer shade to everyone but also serve as vital nesting spaces for birds. Even though the MCC obtained prior permission from the Forest Department to remove 40 of these trees for road widening, it does not excuse the ecological and environmental harm caused by their mass felling. In my view, expanding the road to accommodate faster and increased vehicular traffic is no justification for such actions, which will only accelerate global warming and climate change, ultimately impacting future generations.”
Public inquiry
Founding Working President of Mysuru Grahakara Parishat Bhamy V Shenoy said, “It is sad that no attempts were made either by MCC or Forest Department to get public opinion on an important matter of felling 40 healthy trees to widen the road.
He questioned, “Has any study been conducted to assess the cost-benefit analysis of widening the road? Mysuru has incurred a loss of at least Rs 20 crore to Rs 240 crore due to the felling of these 40 trees. The value of a single tree to society ranges from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 6 crore. The justification given is that a public inquiry is not required if the total number of trees cut is below 50. Citing this loophole, the authorities avoided conducting a public inquiry. I am deeply saddened to see history repeating itself, with trees being felled by authorities under one pretext or another, without public consultation in Mysuru.”
He added, “MGP is planning to hold a formal ‘shraddhanjali’ to mourn the untimely death of 40 trees to pull the attention of authorities to avoid such calamities in the future.”
Protest
Meanwhile, Parisara Balaga and various environment related organisations held an online meeting to discuss and plan their protests against chopping of these trees.
Sanjay P, a resident of Mysuru, shared his concerns saying, “The road was already wide enough, and traffic flowed smoothly along this stretch. There was no need for this widening. It used to be a beautiful boulevard, and I am deeply saddened by its loss. Mysuru was once celebrated for its greenery and pleasant climate, but now the city has only 13% green cover, whereas it should ideally be 33%. It is ironic that while the MCC and Forest Department plant saplings to increase green cover during these increasingly hot summers, they are simultaneously cutting down fully grown trees.”
Parashuramegowda, founder member of Parisara Balaga, expressed his anguish, and said, “By cutting down these trees, an entire ecosystem that sustains us has been destroyed. Colonies of insects and ants have lost their homes, and birds no longer have places to perch and rest. The loss of biodiversity, the destruction of habitats, and the degradation of our environment reflect our growing disconnect from nature. We must unite to demand change, prioritise sustainability, and safeguard the planet’s precious resources. We owe this not just to ourselves, but to our children and future generations.”