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Campaign against Illegal Tree felling in Bangalore

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What you can do when you see a tree being felled

• Ask the person cutting / pruning a tree(s) for a permission letter which should be authorised by the Deputy Conservator of Forests (Bangalore Urban Div) only.
• If they do not possess such a permission letter, then it is a case of illegal tree felling / pruning. You must lodge a complaint with the concerned authorities. (See below for their details)
• You can also call up ESG @ its helpline - Telephone 22441977 which would guide you on further action. ESG would periodically gather this evidence and follow up with the Karnataka Forest Dept. for necessary legal action.
• Take down all details of the incident as per our checklist.
• If the land is private property then please consult the list of trees which can be cut in private land and don't need permission.
• Mob and involve the media, concerned citizens and residents of the area and try to stop the vandalism till the concerned authorities reach the spot.
• Always record what you witnessed by writing to the DFO (Deputy Conservator of Forest - Bangalore Urban, Aranya Bhawan, 18th Cross, Malleshwaram, Bangalore - 560003) and dispatch your letter under Regd post Ack due. You may send a copy to ESG for follow up action.
• Remember that even if there is a permission letter, two tree saplings have to be planted before cutting the tree. As per a Supreme court order, this is a prerequisite to granting the permission. As a general rule the same procedure applies in all districts.

Details of concerned authorities (hierarchically)

For reporting illegal tree felling contact,

• District Forest Officer (Bangalore Urban Div) Office: Phone - 3343464 / Fax - 3344686 (Contact persons Sumana and Jagdish)
• Range Forest Officer (Malleshwaram) - 3343543 (office) / 36766720 (Personal mobile of Mr Jeelani Pasha)
• Range Forest Officer (Ulsoor) - 94480-82889
• Range Forest Officer (BTM Layout) - 94482-01406
• RFO Kaggalipura - Srinivas: 9448088811
• RFO Bangalore North Range (Peenya to Hessarghatta, Mekhri Circle to Vidhan Soudha) - Chinappa: 9845210780
• RFO Banashankari - Govindraj: 9845832690
• Forest Mobile Squad Office - 3344672
• Other important Helplines in case of Tree fall: BCC - 22221188 / 22975595 / 22210031 - 35. BESCOM - IVRS - 12660 / 22267118 / 22267119 / 22267180 (24 Hour customer complaint cell)

See how you can help more.....

• For saplings, list of nurseries in Bangalore and Karnataka and for tree guards contact Deputy Conservator of Forest (Social Forestry) - 23343090 / Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry) - 23345447
• Observe cases other than tree felling; like pavements choking the tree roots, illegal construction around the tree trunk, nailing of ads on the tree trunks, no tree guards for young trees, indiscriminate pruning of the tree, ill-conceived planning of flyovers, BDA acquisitions felling trees en masse, Pvt. developers / builders indiscriminately felling trees in acquired land for construction w/o sparing a thought on alternatives, any bribery cases pertaining to getting the trees felled etc
• Plant more trees, but first find out which are the tree types planted on roadside / residential areas / parks, etc in cities. You can read "City Trees - A handbook on City Trees and Urban Planning (Urban Forestry)" by S. G. Neginhal ([email protected]; Phone No:080-23223981) for further information.
• Write regularly to the press, concerned authorities and organise public forums / meetings to address the issue, inviting officials and eminent personalities.