Three of 17 poisoned trees survive on Outer Ring Road

Activists to plant saplings to compensate for dead trees

Activists who saved three of the 17 trees on the Outer Ring Road (ORR), which were poisoned for providing a clear view of the advertisement hoardings, will plant saplings to compensate for the 14 trees that did not survive.

On March 2, tree committee member Vijay Nishanth exposed that acid was poured on the trunk of 17 trees on ORR near Kalamandir Road to provide clear view of hoardings. Activists later treated the trees by removing the “charred” part of the trunk and providing nutrients required for rejuvenation.

“The trunks of some trees were charred completely. Branches of the other trees were cut unscientifically, leaving the bare trunk. After seeing the mutilation, we knew that they will not survive. Some trees received a treatment. We provided fungi and nutritions with the help of BBMP forest cell. Now three of them are flowering,” Nishanth said.

He said the dead trees will be replaced with healthy saplings. “We want to show all that a tree has its own space. You can't take it away. We can bring back the green,” he added. Nishanth and another activist Saidatta took the fight to police and Lokayukta, following which directions were issued to police to register cases against those involved in the killing of the trees. The suspects, however, managed to get bail.

Weak laws

“The laws against tree cutting are very weak. Punishment for such offences should be increased to warn others who are ready to cut trees for flimsy reasons,” Saidutta said.

The activists are keenly awaiting the Lokayukta hearing on August 16 to press for accountability among officials entrusted with the job of protecting the greenery in the city.