JOIN USCitizen protest forces Karnataka govt to order 'temporary' stay on Turahalli tree park
The citizens’ protest against the establishment of a tree park inside the Turahalli Reserve Forest on the city’s outskirts bore fruit on Wednesday as Forest Minister Aravind Limbavali ordered a temporary stay on the work.
Limbavali, along with Cooperation Minister and Yeshwantpur MLA S T Somashekar, visited the reserve forest and met the protesting local residents and villagers.
The government was caught off guard by back-to-back weekend protests against the proposed tree park. Residents say the park would damage the last-standing reserve forest near Bengaluru.
Limbavali also promised to discuss the issue with the local MLAs and the chief minister on what needs to be done permanently. He also directed forest officials to fence the forest patch, regardless of the tree park.
“I am overwhelmed by your (citizens’) resolve to protect the forest. Such efforts and the relentless work of our forest officials have helped us increase the forest cover from 18% to 23%,” he said.
According to Limbavali, the forest department had proposed the tree park with the aim of providing a pollution-free environment under the Centre’s Nagara Vana programme. “But you all have been demanding that forest be left as it is. I acknowledge your sentiments and will discuss this matter with the two MLAs, S T Somashekar and M Krishnappa, on what needs to be done. Until then, I direct the officials to temporarily stay the work on the project,” Limbavali said.
The forest falls in the jurisdiction of two assembly constituencies — Yeshwantpur and Bengaluru South.
Somashekar maintained that he had no information about the project when it was proposed. He said he would not interfere in the activities of another minister. “Limbavali has been a senior MLA and minister and knows what needs to be done and he will decide accordingly. As an MLA, I will only convey the message of the people and request him,” he added.
Limbavali also spoke to Bengaluru South MLA M Krishnappa over the phone and told the gathering that the latter supported retaining the forest.
The forest minister said the matter would now be decided by the chief minister. “I will also consult the chief minister on dropping this project from the Bengaluru Mission 2022 programme.”
On the citizens’ appeal to set up the tree park on an adjacent 38-acre plot of land where a similar tree park was inaugurated by union minister D V Sadananda Gowda, Limbavali promised to visit the site along with the officials and MLAs, and take a call on shifting the tree park there and upgrading the existing one.
Reacting to the temporary stay on the tree park, Abdul Aleem, co-founder, Changemakers of Kanakapura, said: “We are thankful to the people who turned up in large numbers to support our cause and thank the government for hearing our plea. We hope to hear back soon from the chief minister on the dropping of the project.”
Villagers demand entry to temples on hillock
People from adjoining villagers urged Limbavali for permission to visit the temples of Shani Mahatma and Muneshwara atop the Turahalli hillock, saying they have been worshipping the deities for decades. The minister directed the officials to not put any restriction on people visiting the temples. At the same time, he asked the villagers to clean up the area after the worship.
Athletes’ request
The minister’s visit witnessed a heated argument, and most of the citizens demanded a complete ban on public entry into the forest. A few athletes sought permission to enter the forest for rock-climbing and mountain biking training. Limbavali asked them to submit a proposal on what they need and promised to look into it.
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