Campaign against Illegal Tree felling in Bangalore
Current Situation
Development sans trees?
The foresight in planning developmental projects is lacking; trees face the axe when these projects are executed with little thought given to replenishing these resources. Why can't saplings be planted at the planning stages itself when the tree cutting is inevitable? This would ensure that when the trees are cut some years later, the saplings are on their way up.
Bangalore City�s flyovers have already accounted for cutting of 9,800 trees (Source: Deccan Herald 18 Nov, 2003) and thousands more are threatened to make way for an expanding metropolis. Recently, the Turahalli minor forest area in South Bangalore has been experiencing such a threat to its biodiversity. Encroachment and tree felling in the name of development by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has scarred the area and threatens the very existence of the forest.
The Sheshadri road flyover is one such, where about 100 trees are going to be chopped to facilitate "development". Read More
Read about the public apathy in the case of Shankara Park in saving the green spaces in their vicinity which faces the threat of extinction in this era of rapid urbanisation.
A vigilant society up in arms
Various civil society organisations, environmental groups, the judiciary and media have been vigilant on this issue. Vide its interim order WA 8178/1999, dated 24-07-2003, a Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court severely restricted ongoing tree felling and directed immediate end to this activity barring a few cases. In a strongly worded judgment, the Bench comprising, Justice M F Saldanha and Justice M S Rajendra Prasad pulled up the state government and public authorities for the wanton destruction of green cover in various parts of the state. It ordered that two trees must be planted before any tree was felled. Read more.
The KFD on the basis of the HC directions and under Sec 8(1) of the The Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976 issued a Govt order (No. A9.V.CR.912/2003-04.Dated:02.08.2003) withdrawing with immediate effect all orders issued previously to fell trees. Now any tree felling or pruning in the city on private or public land needs the Deputy Conservator of Forests' (DFO, Bangalore Urban) permission. Also two saplings have to be planted before a tree is cut. Failure to comply with these orders would invite imprisonment or heavy fine or both according to Sec 22 of the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976. Read more.
ESG's Tree Helpline
ESG has setup a helpline in order to encourage progressive citizen engagement for protecting Bangalore�s Trees, and facilitate corrective action.
Related Reading
- Read Section 8(1) & Section 22 of the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976
- Read the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976
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.