HELPLINE TO SAVE BANGLORE’S TREES

There have been too many cases of illegal tree felling and vandalism in the recent past in Bangalore. Officials of Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and Bangalore Development Authority have also been found to be authorizing felling, when clearly they do no have such powers. In response to complaints by Environment Support Group and other concerned groups and individuals, the Deputy Conservator of Forests (Bangalore Urban Div) has officially withdrawn all orders for tree felling by his order dated 2nd August 2003. Considering the Hon’ble Karnataka High Court’s direction instructing two trees be planted prior to felling any tree, and also detailing guidelines for tree felling, the DCF has warned that any action otherwise would be held to be in Contempt of Court.

Despite such directives, many cases of tree felling are still being reported. It is required of all citizens to be vigilant to prevent further vandalism and unnecessary tree felling. In order to encourage progressive citizen engagement for protecting Bangalore’s Trees, and facilitate corrective action, Environment Support Group - a city based not-for-profit organisation - has set up a HELPLINE @ Telephone 6534364 (Contact Person: Deepa).

We request anyone who witnesses such vandalism in the Bangalore Urban Region to call 6534364 and provide necessary details. ESG would periodically gather this evidence and follow up with the Karnataka Forest Dept. for necessary legal action.

Leo F. Saldanha / Deepashree
Environment Support Group ®
S-3, Rajashree Apartments, 18/57, 1st Main Road, S. R. K. Gardens, Jayanagar,
Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore 560041. INDIA Telefax: 91-80-6341977/6534364
Email: [email protected] Website: