BBMP demands clarifications on controversial tree proposal
BBMP
RLDA
Cantonment trees
public consultation
The railway should respect people's opinions and look for an alternative location. Even the Forest Minister of Karnataka spoke about the protection of the 368 trees
Vijay Nishant, Member, Bengaluru Biodiversity Management Committee
Karnataka Forest Minister
With mounting objections from citizens and environmentalists,has formally requestedto review its controversial plan to cut 368The Forest Department of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has asked the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) to reconsider its proposed commercial project at Cantonment railway station, which has faced severe public backlash since its announcement. According to BBMP's Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF), RLDA has also been asked to furnish a detailed response for every question and query raised by citizens during themeeting held on May 20.'We have asked higher officials of RLDA to reconsider the project, looking at objections raised by the public. Public sentiment is clearly against the proposed project. BBMP has also recorded the proceedings on May 20 and handed it over to RLDA for a detailed response. A general reply to public concerns will not be admissible,' said BLG Swamy, DCF, BBMP.Citizens got to know about the project when BBMP put out a public notice on April 25, stating RLDA's intention to remove 368 trees for commercial development at the Bangalore Cantonment Railway Colony campus. Following the notice, BBMP was flooded with objections against the proposal.Later, RLDA officials informed that the project is to ensure a source of revenue for Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Company Limited (K-RIDE). The agency stated that the Bengaluru suburban rail project was approved by the Railway Board with a total cost of Rs 15,767 crore, with a completion period of 6 years. While 20% of this cost is borne by the State government and 20% by the Centre, the remaining 60% is through loans.As per RLDA, out of the Railway share of Rs 2,479 crore (20%), Rs 500 crore is through budgetary support and the remaining through the returns of monetisation of land parcels identified in the project report.City-based tree activists say, after the stormy public consultation held on May 20, RLDA should withdraw the proposal and consider establishing the project at an alternate site.'The railway should respect people's opinions and look for an alternative location. Even the Forest Minister of Karnataka spoke about the protection of the 368 trees proposed to be removed for the project,' said Vijay Nishant, a member of Bengaluru's Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC).Notably, after the public outcry,Eshwar Khandre instructed that action be taken for the protection of the 368 trees on the Cantonment Railway Colony campus proposed to be felled for a commercial project.A letter issued from his office also stated that rules will be framed to bring the request of cutting down more than 50 trees to the notice of the Forest Minister, after obtaining the government's permission.
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