Gulmohar trees felled, residents cry foul

Residents of Malleswaram were in for a rude shock on Wednesday when as many as 15 grand Gulmohar trees that had decorated the 18th Main near the BWSSB office were felled.

The mayhem was outrageous to many as the leaves that had formed a green canopy, partially allowing the sun rays to stream through, were lying all over the ground. The blistering weather on Wednesday and Thursday added fuel to the outrage as the residents missed the giant trees that had cooled the locality for decades.

Dr Meenakshi Bharath, a noted gynaecologist, posted the pictures of the butchered trees on her Facebook page, drawing ire against the Palike.

Dr Bharath saw a bigger conspiracy to wipe out the Gulmohar from the City since their branches fall without warning whenever there is a thunderstorm.

“If your name is Gulmohar, the BBMP will behead you. It has an aversion to this variety of tree and is consciously targeting it across Bengaluru,” she said with a hint of sarcasm.

She added that at least 25 per cent of the trees in the City are Gulmohar and the Palike wiping them out would mean snatching away Bengaluru's greenery.
Kadu Malleswara ward corporator Manjunath Raju expressed his ignorance about the felling of trees.

He said that cutting down trees for construction purpose or for the better display of advertisements should be taken seriously. He, however, did not oppose cutting down a tree if it jeopardises lives.

“I will visit the place and find out the reason behind felling of the Gulmohar trees. If it was done with a malafide intention then it is very unfortunate,” said Raju.