Date:02/05/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/05/02/stories/2004050211790300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Tree felled amid protests

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, MAY 1. An American rain tree on a large plot of land opposite Shankar Math here was axed this morning under police protection.

The plot was being used as a children's park for many years, according to the Environment Support Group (ESG).

Local residents, with the support of the ESG, Janothsava and other like-minded groups, had challenged the decision of the district forest officer to allow the felling of the tree.

The Forest Department had reportedly agreed to maintain the status quo until further orders, an ESG release said.

The group said the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) were silent on the nature of the land use of the property where the tree stood.

"A simple act of conducting a comprehensive inquiry and involving local residents in the same would have cleared the air of controversy," it said.

It said the felling of the tree was "an instance where the opinion of local residents has been rubbished wantonly."