70 trees felled for road widening in Hassan

Around 70 giant trees of different species have been felled for road-widening on Salagame Road in the city.

The trees were axed after PWD Minister H D Revanna launched the widening of the road recently. Hundreds of vehicles ply on Salagame Road to visit Halebeed and Puradamma temples and this stretch also connects several villages.

Vehicular movement on the road is very high as several educational institutions, including the Government Arts College, Home Science College, Science College, Malnad Engineering College and M Krishna Law College are situated on the stretch.

As the road was damaged due to heavy rains two months ago, the authorities decided to upgrade it and widen it. Following this, trees that were hundred years old were axed, much to the chagrin of activists.

Speaking to DH, activist Kishore Kumar said they were not against development works, but pointed out that the Forest department did not take the initiative to grow plants.

As per the norms, 20 saplings should be grown for every tree that is axed. But they are not following the norms, he said.

When contacted, DCF Sivaram Babu said permission was given to fell 70 trees for road-widening purpose. As an alternative, the department would plant 140 saplings and bear the expenses of nurturing them.

Though the environmentalists are opposing tree-felling, road widening was inevitable for the rising traffic density, he said.