Steel flyover: Residents protest against tree-felling

More than 300 residents on Sunday protested for marking the trees for felling to pave the way for the controversial steel flyover project between Basaveshwara Circle and Mehkri Circle in the heart of Bengaluru.

Citizens for Bengaluru, an NGO, has launched a campaign #MaraHatyeThadeYojane. The residents urged the government to not to cut trees for the project.

Recently DH had reported about the marking of 144 full-grown trees in the stretch. The sudden move drew universal opposition from conservationists and environmentalists.

CfB has launched a postcard campaign against the marking of the trees. More than 5,000 postcards have been sent to the chief minister.

“To show our solidarity with our beloved trees we have gathered in peaceful protest, the government is keen to announce various yojanes that seem to destroy our precious green cover. In response, we would like to commit ourselves a to #MaraHatyeThadeYojane,” said Srinivas Alavilli, member of CfB.

“Last week, 144 trees have been marked for felling on Bellary Road by KRDCL according to media reports. Since KRDCL is the nodal agency for implementing the proposed elevated corridor project, it appears that the agency is making preparations for cutting these trees. However, environmental impact assessment(EIA) is not done and there is no environmental clearance granted for this project,” he added.

“There is massive public opposition as well because alternatives that do not
involve killing trees such as public transport are not being considered. The BBMP has not given any permission to cut these trees. Marking these trees is seen as a disregard to rule of law and to public sentiment,” said another member.