Deputy
Conservator of Forests, 17th May 2004
Bangalore Urban Division,
Aranya Bhavan,
Bangalore: 560003
Reg: Complaint to initiate proceedings with regard to illegal felling of trees on Cubbon Road, Bangalore
Dear Sir,
As
you are aware, about 240 trees were axed along the median stretch of Cubbon
Road in Bangalore in the first two weeks of April 2004. This action was undertaken
by the Horticulture Department of Bangalore Mahanagara Palike ostensibly on
grounds that the action was pursuant to an observation made by His Excellency
Governor of Karnataka that the trees could obstruct traffic flow and also could
be a security threat to the dignitaries. Documentation by way of various newspapers
clippings confirming this is annexed at Annexure A.
In this regard we had written to the Chief Secretary Government of Karnataka
in our letter dated 16th April, 2004 seeking intervention to stop the tree felling
as apparently the activity was not in conformance with law. A copy of this letter
was also sent to His Excellency Governor of Karnataka. This letter is annexed
at Annexure B.
Subsequently the Principal Secretary to Governor of Karnataka vide his letter
No. PS 108 PSG 2004, dated April 24, 2004 has confirmed “no instructionshas
been sent from the Governor for cutting of the trees to any of the authorities.
The reports in the media to this effect have no factual basis”. The copy
of this letter is annexed at Annexure C.
Considering the above we urge you to take immediate action against the concerned
agencies / authorities / individuals in conformance with the applicable law
on the matter.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Leo F. Saldanha Deepashree
Environment Support Group
Cc:
1. Principal Secretary to the Governor of Karnataka
2. Chief Secretary to Govt. of Karnataka.
3. Principal Secretary, Dept. of Ecology, Environment and Forests, Govt of Karnataka
4. Commissioner, Bangalore Mahanagara Palike
5. Director, Dept. of Horticulture, Govt of Karnataka