Latest news with #KarnatakaPreservationofTreesAct
New Indian Express
28-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Infra work at Bangalore University fully compliant with regulations, eco-harm claims misleading, says VC
BENGALURU: Refuting concerns regarding environmental damage caused by new construction under the Centre's PM-USHA scheme, Bangalore University on Friday clarified that the ongoing infrastructure works at its Jnana Bharathi campus are fully compliant with environmental regulations and are aimed at meeting the academic and research needs of students through sustainable planning. Clarifying allegations regarding tree felling, Vice-Chancellor Dr Jayakara SM, at a press conference, stated that the proposed construction site is not part of its bio-park or any ecologically sensitive zone. 'The area comprises mainly Eucalyptus (Nilgiri) and Acacia trees — species that are not rare or endangered. Of the 419 trees at the site, only 282 may be removed, including 169 Nilgiri trees. The remaining 137 trees, located in the buffer zone, will be preserved, and smaller trees will be relocated to nearby areas,' the VC said. Dr Jayakara added that the claims raised by a few individuals about ecological harm are misleading and ignore the broader context of sustainable development and infrastructure needs. 'In accordance with the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976, the university will plant ten saplings for every tree removed,' Dr Jayakara said.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
MGP to convene meeting to evolve strategies to prevent tree-felling on Sunday
Consequent to the felling of 40 giant trees for road widening in the city recently and the public outrage over it, the city-based NGO Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) has convened a meeting to evolve strategies for tree conservation. The meeting is scheduled for Sunday from 4 p.m., and it will be held at the MGP office at 6/1, Vivekananda Road, Yadavgiri. Botanist S. Natesh, who is the author of the book, Iconic Trees of India, published in 2024, will take part in the meeting and come out with suggestions on how best the citizens can come together on a common platform to prevent tree-felling. The spotlight on tree conservation comes in the wake of what environmentalists are calling the 'murder' of over 40 trees that were over 40 years old, along the Hyder Ali Road, in April. The incident sparked outrage and resulted in widespread protests in the city, and activists also responded with a slew of actions, including a candlelight vigil, replanting drives, online petitions, and formal complaints to the Chief Minister, Lokayukta, National Green Tribunal, and the Deputy Commissioner. People's Union for Civil Liberty (PUCL), Mysuru chapter, also wrote to the Minister for Forests, Ecology, and Environment, Eshwar Khandre, to amend the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976, in a bid to strengthen tree protection. A crowd-funded exercise also saw the transplantation of a giant tree which had collapsed near the Kukkarahalli lake embankment, underlining increasing public involvement on issues related to environment. Though the Minister, on his part, ordered an inquiry into the incident and sought a report from the Deputy Commissioner, there are concerns that nearly 300 more trees have been marked for felling to pave the way for linear projects such as drawing high tension cables or broadening the existing roads. The MGP said ahead of the event that tree-felling should be the last resort, only after exploring all alternatives for preservation. The group hopes that Sunday's meeting will serve as a platform to build a collective voice against unnecessary deforestation in Mysuru. Dr. Natesh, a retired senior advisor from the Department of Biotechnology of the government of India, will lead the session. It may be noted that a plant species, Aponogeton nateshii, has been named after him. For additional information on the meeting, contact 0821-2515150.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Tree enumeration for census stalled in multiple zones
Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act Bengaluru's tree census is facing yet another setback as the project is getting stalled in Mahadevapura, RR Nagar, and Bengaluru South due to slow progress made by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is now in the process of floating new tenders to carry out tree enumeration in these areas.'Tenders have been floated for Mahadevapura, RR Nagar, Bengaluru South, after the process was going at a slow pace in these zones. Once work orders are issued, enumeration will begin shortly,' said a BBMP the current scenario, the census outcome is expected to be delayed sources said that while 80% of the census process is completed in Dasarahalli and Bommanahalli zones, it is trailing in Yelahanka as well. 'Nearly 30% of the work in Yelahanka is completed. Although trees in areas with lower tree density are already enumerated, the intense summer that the city is facing is hampering work. Work is happening mostly on cloudy days. Enumerating all trees in Yelahanka will take at least a month more,' said a set the ball rolling and began Bengaluru's much-awaited tree census in February 2024 with a fund allocation of a little over Rs 3.74 crore, after a delay of nearly five years. The census, initially expected to be completed by August 2024, was postponed to November but faced further delays as the civic agency cancelled tenders for Mahadevapura, Dasarahalli, and Yelahanka due to contractor in completion has also been attributed to reasons such as shortage of manpower, technical glitches in the digital application developed to record the census, and delay in after the High Court directed the Palike to carry out Bengaluru's tree census in August 2019 as per the provisions of the, 1976, the civic agency had first reached out to Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST) and then to Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra (GKVK) in 2023 to conduct the the idea to rope in a research institute was dropped after the civic agency decided to float a tender for the project.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Activists oppose cutting 368 trees for Cantonment Railway project in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: The Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA), under the ministry of railways, has sought permission to chop down 368 trees inside the Bangalore Cantonment Railway Colony, off Vasanth Nagar, to make way for a proposed commercial development project. This move has sparked strong opposition from environmentalists and citizen groups. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) issued a public notice on April 25, inviting objections and suggestions from citizens regarding the proposed tree removal. The trees identified for felling have been mapped using GPS coordinates within the railway colony premises. Following the notice, citizens' groups and environmentalists voiced their outrage, submitting a formal representation to the authorities. "The destruction of 368 mature trees is unacceptable. Mature trees are vital for maintaining air quality, regulating the climate, and mitigating the urban heat island effect. Their removal would worsen pollution, increase temperatures, and severely harm local biodiversity," their letter said. Citizens also criticised the lack of transparency about the commercial project, saying they couldn't fairly assess the need for tree removal without knowing the full details. They pointed out that the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976, demands a strong environmental justification for felling trees — something they say hasn't been adequately demonstrated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Don't Miss The Top Packaging Trends Of 2024, Enhance Your Brand With Latest Insights (Check Now) Packaging Machines | Search Ads Search Now Undo "Cutting down these trees is against the interests and sentiments of Bengaluru's citizens," the statement added, urging the authorities to rethink the project. Citizens have been given 10 days from the date of the notice to file their objections, either via email, post, or by hand-delivering them to the deputy conservator of forests (DCF), BBMP. A copy of the feedback must also be sent to the RLDA. The BBMP website ( has published detailed information about the trees marked for removal. The proposal has sparked concern at a time when Bengaluru is grappling with shrinking green spaces and rising urban heat. Chiku Agrawal, a BTM Layout resident, said, "The newspaper notification only says the trees are being cut for commercial purposes, but what exactly is being planned? How important is it? There's no transparency from BBMP or the railways. Without clear information, we're naturally opposed to the felling of such a large number of mature trees." Vinod Jacob of Namma Bengaluru Foundation emphasised the historical and functional significance of the Cantonment area. "Cantonment station is a heritage site that continues to serve the city without major redevelopment. We already have the state-of-the-art Visvesvaraya Terminal at Byappanahalli, just 3km away, which remains underutilised. Rather than constructing commercial complexes at Cantonment station, efforts should focus on improving accessibility and last-mile connectivity for passengers. It is alarming that so many trees are at risk for unnecessary commercial development," he said. Neither the railways nor BBMP responded to calls and messages from TOI seeking clarity on the proposed project.
The Hindu
27-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Residents oppose felling of 368 trees for commercial project at Cantonment Railway Colony
Another 368 trees may be cut to make way for a railway commercial development project in Bengaluru, as the Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA) has sought permission to clear trees inside the Bangalore Cantonment Railway Colony at Vasanth Nagar. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued a public notice inviting objections to the proposed felling of 368 trees located inside the colony. The RLDA, under the Ministry of Railways, has sought permission for the removal of trees as part of its 'commercial development project' planned at the site. According to the notice dated April 25, the trees in question are spread across a large area within the cantonment premises. The details of the tree species and their locations have been uploaded on the BBMP website for public access, a BBMP official said. 'Citizens have been given 10 days from the date of the notice's publication to submit their objections or suggestions either via email, post, or by hand delivery,' the official added. The move has sparked concerns among local residents who fear that large-scale tree loss would further deplete Bengaluru's already dwindling green cover. 'Cutting down nearly 400 mature trees in the heart of the city for commercial interests is a disaster waiting to happen,' said Rekha Suresh, a long-time resident of Vasanthnagar. 'We are already grappling with poor air quality and extreme heat. This project will only make things worse.' Under Section 8(3)(vi) of the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976, the BBMP is required to invite and consider public objections before allowing any large-scale tree felling. Citizens can send their comments to both the Deputy Conservator of Forests, BBMP, and the JGM/Civil Expert at RLDA, with a copy of any correspondence to be marked to the tree officer. 'The proposed commercial development comes at a time when Bengaluru's green spaces are increasingly being sacrificed for infrastructure and real estate projects. The authorities should explore alternative designs that preserve existing trees rather than opting for complete clearance,' said Anand R., another Vasanthnagar resident. 'We cannot keep chopping down trees and expect the city to remain livable. Development is important, but it should not come at the cost of our environment. The government must reconsider this project or at least drastically minimise the number of trees being removed,' he added. Meanwhile, Railway officials were contacted but were unavailable for comment on the proposed tree cutting.
