Trees on Cunningham Road will be cut next according to an application filed by Assistant Executive Engineer, Traffic Cell (West), BBMP to the BBMP Forest Department.
The letter seeks permission to cut four trees on Cunningham Road, opposite RBI quarters , close to the Golf course.
Vinay Sreenivasa, a social activist, said, “These trees are being felled in the name of improving footpaths for pedestrians. BBMP claims that it needs to move all facilities like cables, water, underground and therefore, the trees have to be felled. I am not sure if we want an improved footpath which has no trees.”
BBMP is merrily turning a blind eye to the fact that the Garden City of yesteryears is rapidly losing its trees and gardens.
One would expect the authorities to support the citizens in their need for more trees instead of felling the few trees that are left.
Chief Conservator of Forests (BBMP) Brijesh Kumar told City Express, “It is most likely that those trees will be cut. We have made the event a public discussion so that our officers can take a decision after taking all objections into account.”
He added, “The road will be repaired and widened. All facilities such as power and telephone ducts will be moved underground. As of now, sewage pipes that are under road, will be shifted to the side. If trees are obstructing traffic, they have to be cut down.”
Some citizens and students from organisations like Hasiru Usiru, Alternative Law Forum and Azim Premji University protested against the felling of trees with placards and held demonstrations on Ambedkar Veedhi and other places recently.