Hasire Usiru
Campaign to Reclaim Bangalore's Commons
In the Media
November 10, 2008. Bangaloreans protest to save city's green cover - NDTV
Rati Ramadoss
Monday, November 10, 2008 (Bangalore)
In Bangalore over 500 people gathered to protest against the widening of 140 arterial roads for the metro train. Widening the roads will mean cutting down thousands of trees that line the roads, and a complete loss of green spaces in the city.
A court appointed committee and the Bangalore municipal corporation recently sanctioned the widening of the roads, which will mean more than 30,000 trees will be cut.
"Trees as part of the built-in heritage is very important to protect, and I think Bangalore also belongs to people who walk, not just those who drive around in cars," said a Bangalore resident.
It's not just the green cover that people are worried about. Krishnamoorthy has owned a stationery store on Avenue road in the city for the past 48 years. But when the road is widened, the 100-year-old shopping area will go, and that will be the end of business for the shopkeepers.
"Avenue Road has been around for so many years. It will be a huge problem for all of us. They are widening the road by 1 kilometer. This will make sure that 1.5 lakh people lose their jobs," said Krishnamoorthy, shopkeeper.
The reduction in Bangalore's green spaces is an issue that resonates with many environmental activists throughout the world, and is relevant to all our major cities today. With the voices of dissent only growing louder in Bangalore, one just has to wait and see what the government has to say.
ESG is an independent not-for-profit organisation that promotes the cause of environmental and social justice through research, documentation, advocacy, training and campaign support. We aim to support the rights of local communities and voiceless ecosystems in a responsible, progressive manner that keeps contextual complexities in mind.