Deputy Conservator of Forests
Bangalore Urban
Aranya Bhavan,
18th cross, Malleshwaram,
Bangalore 560003

5th Aug, 2003

Reg: Tree Felling cases in Bangalore City

Dear Sir,

Mr. Leo.F. Saldanha of Environment Support Group had reported to you on Saturday (02 August 2003), a serious violation of the relevant Forest and Tree Protection Acts by Bangalore Mahanagara Palike by felling three full grown trees in front of Lalbagh West Gate. He had highlighted that the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka had expressly ruled against such acts of illegal tree felling, and thereby BMP would be in Contempt of Court. He had also stressed the need for the Karnataka Forest Department to immediately file a FIR against the guilty officers, and impound the material so felled.

You had readily confirmed your willingness to take such action, and had also instructed your officials to immediately withdraw all orders authorizing felling of trees in the Bangalore Urban region, be they issued in the past or present. You had also instructed your officials to immediately intimate all relevant agencies in this regard.

In this connection, we had reported a similar incident of tree felling by BMP officials on 10th July 2003 on the 4th Main Road of Jayanagar. You have confirmed that necessary action has been taken on this.

We will be grateful if you will provide us copies of the aforementioned orders and FIRS, as the case may be.

Thanking you,

Deepashree
Environment Support Group