Many trees chopped to 'widen' Kanakapura Road

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, MAY 30. A large number of trees are reportedly being felled on Kanakapura Road (State Highway 209) on the outskirts of the City.

Mr. Kishore Mukherjee, a trustee of the Vedvigyan Mahavidyapeeth, said here on Tuesday that four tress had been cut. According to him, some of the trees which faced the axe were 100 to 200 years old. "These trees are an asset to the City and its surroundings and cutting them is a grave crime," he said.

He said members of the Mahavidyapeeth tried to enquire with the workers on the spot as to why the trees were being chopped. They said it was being done to widen the highway. Surprised by this, members of the Mahavidyapeeth enquired with the Chief Engineer, Highways, who denied having ordered felling of trees to widen the road.

Mr. Mukherjee said he and some of his associates visited the Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, where they received a similar response. The Forest Department too denied having authorised the chopping of trees on that stretch of the road.

Members of the Mahavidyapeeth and the local residents alleged that the wood was taken to a saw mill about 3 km. away from the spot.

Mr. Mukherjee expressed concern that if the authorities concerned remained complacent, the stretch of the road would be devoid of any trees in the next few days.

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Section  : Southern States
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