Eshwar Khandre orders probe into felling of trees on Hyder Ali Road in Mysuru

A view of the Hyder Ali Road in Mysuru after the authorities axed about 40 trees on the avenue.
| Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram

Minister for Forest, Biology, and Environment Eshwar B. Khandre has ordered an investigation into the axing of 40 trees on Hyder Ali Road in Mysuru and sought a report on this matter in seven days.

The probe by the government follows a public outcry against the axing of the fully grown trees and questions raised by the environmentalists and concerned citizens over the need for widening of the road.

In a note dated April 19 addressed to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Aranya Bhavan, Bengaluru, the Minister has sought an investigation by an official of the rank of Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) to determine if proper procedures were followed during the felling of trees on the road.

The probe should also ascertain whether widening of the road was truly necessary and if cutting down the trees was justified or not. “A report must be submitted in seven days,” Mr. Khandre said.

In the note, Mr. Khandre referred to an observation made by the Supreme Court recently that “cutting down of large number of trees is like killing human beings or worse than that” and cited media reports that said 40 trees had been unnecessarily felled on Hyder Ali Road and the permission issued by the Forest Department for the same was inappropriate.

The Minister has also taken note of the large gathering of environmentalists and tree lovers, who had gathered on the road for a silent candlelight protest to pay tribute to the axed trees.

With the world currently facing challenges like rising temperature and climate change, the Minister said conservation of trees is the duty of the Forest Department. “Life must exist, livelihoods must continue, development must happen, and nature should be preserved,” he said.

The axing of trees on the stretch of the Hyder Ali Road connecting the office of Superintendent of Police and the Karnataka Police Academy, apparently after midnight of April 12 has triggered angry reactions from across the spectrum of society in the city.

A group of environmentalists under the banner of Parisara Ulivigagi Kriya Samithi, or Save Environment Action Committee, gave a call for a silent candlelight vigil on April 18, leading to a large turnout of people to protest the axing of the trees. Several people performed rituals at the stumps of the felled trees. The samithi has also planned the 11th day death ceremony or ‘thithi’ to mourn the loss of the trees.

Meanwhile, protests against the axing of the trees continued even on Sunday, with representatives of Team Mysuru gathering on the road and expressing their outrage through artwork depicting the pain and tears of a tree when it is chopped down.

The protestors, who raised slogans on protection of trees and plants, also criticised the officials responsible for cutting down the trees.