BU refutes activists' claims of environmental damage due to new building project

Bengaluru: Bangalore University (BU) has denied claims by some activists that infrastructure development under the PM-USHA Scheme at the Jnanabharathi campus is harming the environment.

Dr Jayakara SM, Vice-Chancellor, said that legal action would be initiated against the walkers' association, registered using Jnanabharathi's name. "We have communicated everything to the government and will place the walkers' association issue before the next Syndicate to decide on legal action." 

Jayakara asserted that the university is meant for academic activities and not for creating public nuisance. "We have received complaints against the walkers' association from our stakeholders, and a decision will be taken accordingly," he added.

Clarifying the PM-USHA project, Jayakara said, "The university is committed to student-centric development at Jnanabharathi, upholding environmental awareness and responsibility. All forest regulations are being followed legally and scientifically during the construction of the new academic and research block."

He noted that the 1,200-acre campus is primarily for academic development and infrastructure is part of this process. "We have created a mini forest by planting six lakh saplings. The site for the PM-USHA project was selected after several expert visits. Though 419 trees stand there, 169 are eucalyptus and acacia; 137 are in the buffer zone, and the rest will be transplanted," he clarified.