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Campaign against Illegal Tree felling in Bangalore

Background

"The forest is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and benevolence that makes no demands for its sustenance and extends generously the products of its life activity; it affords protection to all beings, offering shade even to the axe-man who destroys it" - Gautam Buddha

Bangalore, the "Garden City" once boasted a skyline of trees, the towering canopies a source of constant pride to Bangaloreans. But over the years, urbanization and a fast growth rate have taken their toll on the city and it is now common to see more and more buildings and structures poking out above the trees. Bangalore’s image is gradually changing from a "garden city" to a high tech, "silicon city" image. According to the State of Forest Report 2001, Bangalore city has only 7.4% of its total geographic area as forest cover.

This haphazard growth has typically ignored the ecology of the city which has failed to keep pace with this rapid urbanization. The result is that the once lush avenues are now slowly but surely being bereft of the tree cover in the guise of road space, highways, housing and transportation projects and technical infrastructure to match the growing needs of the city. The Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka stepped in to provide guidelines to check the loss of green cover in Bangalore.

Our Tree Helpline has been set up to ensure wider awareness and regulation of the rampant tree felling incidents in Bangalore.

See Hasire Usiru - Concerned people unite against tree felling for more details.

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.

See Hasire Usiru for current information on tree felling in Bangalore.

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