Meeting to save trees near Cantonment station soon, assures Khandre

Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Friday said that a meeting would be held with stakeholders to consider a petition to save 368 trees in front of the Cantonment railway station.

The trees were marked for felling for a railway development project, but strong opposition from conservationists, including Parisarakkagi Naavu, prompted the minister to order a pause last month.

On Friday, Khandre visited the site. Responding to a demand to declare it a biodiversity heritage site, he said a meeting with officers would be convened to examine the plea.

The minister also inspected work to clear tree basements in the area. "Experts say a person needs seven trees for adequate oxygen. In Bengaluru, seven people do not have even one tree. We want everyone to protect and conserve trees," he said.

Biker's death

Offering condolences over a bike rider’s death in a tree branch fell, Khandre said that local agencies must remove dead and weak trees or branches that endanger public safety.