Tree felling: irked NGOs to perform ‘last rites’ Special Correspondent Hindu Dec 22, 2021 Social activists and environmentalists will highlight their ire against a tree-felling incident by conducting the “last rites” for the tree in the city. The founder president of Mysore Grahakara Parishat, Bhamy V. Shenoy, said that they intend to mourn the felling of three fully grown gulmohar trees in Yadavgiri part of the city. He said the it was a brazen act of felling in violation of the tree act and wondered if it was to facilitate vehicle parking for an establishment in the vicinity or to facilitate a clearer view of its building. Mr. Shenoy said when the Forest Department was contacted and asked to initiate action, the person at the other end was annoyed and said the onus was on the complainant to identify the perpetuator of the act. “Though we had sent photos of the felled trees and its location, the Forest Department personnel insisted that we give a written complaint and would not take suo motu action”, he said. This is not the first time that the Forest Department has been derelict in its duty. In February this year a 40-year-old tree was felled and many NGOs and activists had protested, he added. Two MGP members met the Deputy Conservator of Forest Kamala Karikalan and she has promised to prosecute the guilty and levy fine, said Mr. Shenoy who pointed out that Ms. Karikalan has also planted four flowering trees at the spot.
But in a bid to ensure that the Forest Department will follow up and act when the citizens complain about illegal tree felling, the NGOs will build up pressure and conduct the “final rites” of the felled trees on December 26 at 10.30 a.m., said Mr.Shenoy. For details and to participate call 8861096205 or 9845110202. ‘Last rites’ of trees performed to mourn their felling Hindu Dec 26, 2021 Citizens from different parts of Mysuru and NGOs paid homage to three trees that were felled recently and performed their “last rites” on Sunday to underline the seriousness of such acts in the present times of global warming and climate change. Three trees were felled on the night of December 13 and hence the peeved environmentalists decided to observe the last rites on the 13th day which was on Sunday. Citizens brought flowers and garlands and mourned the demise of the trees while a priest performed the rites.
Parashurame Gowda, convener of Parisara Balaga, who addressed the gathering urged the citizens to be vigilant and complain whenever they see an illegal felling of tree. After the formal rites, Bhamy V. Shenoy of Mysore Grahakara Parishat said the Forest Department refused to take any action unless it was pinpointed as to who was responsible for the felling. It wanted a written complaint before initiating any action and said that the ‘shraddhanjali’ to the trees was also held to highlight the ‘dereliction’ of duty of the Forest Department. Another activist Srikanth Bhat of Kotivraksha recalled that similar rites were conducted when a giant tree was felled in Srirampur a few months ago and official had given permission without considering all alternatives. 20 Fully Grown Trees Axed In Vijayanagar First Stage Mysore/Mysuru: Over 20 fully grown trees including 18 shade-giving Honge varieties were chopped to widen the road in Vijayanagar First Stage yesterday. The trees were cut amidst stiff opposition from some of the residents and Green
activists who argued with the Forest Department, Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) and Mysuru Urban Development (MUDA) authorities. These trees at Vijayanagar First Stage (from Abhishek Circle till Kalidasa Road) have been there for decades and have provided shade to the residents, walkers and even small tea shops and auto stands since ages. Now the trees were cut to facilitate the 6th Main road-widening project initiated by MUDA. When compared to Third and Fourth Stage Vijayanagar, the First and Second Stages are considerably green. When the authorities had numbered over 56 trees to be cut in this area in April this year, the residents and eco activists had protested and had convinced the Forest Department not to allow the axing. The work was stopped then. Residents have alleged that now the Department has given permission to cut trees in batches. As per the Department rules, if one tree has to be cut, 10 trees have to be planted. A fee has to be paid to the Department and accordingly, Rs. 2,47,568 has been paid by MUDA and permission has been granted. As authorities arrived at the place with mechanical saws to cut the trees, residents objected and said that the area will look barren and they will be deprived of clean air. Taking objection to the tree cutting, environmental activist Bhamy Shenoy of the Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) told SOM that as per rules, the Forest Department has to call for public hearing if trees are to be cut. “Here they have resorted to cutting trees in batches of 20. One day they will cut 20 and another day they will axe 20 trees. This way they can avoid calling for a public hearing,” he said.
“Strangely, the permission letter issued by the Forest Department does not carry any signature and it is just a Government letter without authorisation publicised to hoodwink opposition. Thus we have no idea who has given the permission,” he said. “A few months back, we had requested both MUDA Chairman H.V. Rajeev and MLA L. Nagendra to stop such a project. We argued that there is absolutely no need to widen that road. There is no such traffic on that road. It is a sad and unfortunate move,” he added. “It was sad to see some of the house owners arguing that they have planted the trees and they have every right to cut them. They seem to ignore the fact that they planted on public property and it does not belong to them. Also, the Tree Act does not allow anyone including the Government to fell trees without taking into consideration cost to the society. When our planet is facing existential crisis because of climate change, it is crime to fell trees without having any reason,” Bhamy added. Activists petition Forest Minister over tree felling cases in Mysuru A group of citizens, who are the members of Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP), has urged Forest Minister Umesh Katti to institute a high-powered committee to inquire into the persons responsible for the irresponsible act of felling 20 trees here. The committee should also look into the action that can be taken against the guilty and institutional changes that can be brought to prevent such acts in the future in the State, it suggested. In a letter to the Minister, they urged the Minister to ask the Forest Department officials to immediately act on their complaint over the two recent incidents of tree felling here.
They said on the night of December 13, three fully grown trees in front of a hospital in Yadavagiri were felled. “When some of us complained to the forest officer, he was unfriendly. He told us that he could act only if we could give details about who did it. Further, he asked us to complain in writing. We were surprised why he could not take action suo motu,” they said. To highlight the problem of tree felling and dereliction on the part of the Forest Department, Mysureans organised“last rites” (the way it is done on the death of near and dear ones) for the tree on the thirteenth day – on December 26. Priests performed the usual rites chanting mantras. People offered flowers and prayed for the dead trees. The solemn function attracted the attention of Mysureans. “As we were reflecting on what to do next to preserve trees, we came to know 20 trees were felled in another part of Mysuru – Vijayanagar first stage. While no permission was given for tree felling in Yadavagiri, there was official permission in the case of Vijayanagar,” said Bhamy V. Shenoy and other members in the letter. The MUDA/PWD had initially asked for the felling of 57 trees and finally only when it was reduced to 20, permission was given by the Forest Department here. “We learnt that former DCF Prashanth had not given permission even after the number of trees was reduced to 20. When the previous DCF had refused permission, what was the new development to change the earlier decision,” they asked. When 20 activists met ACF, Rangaswamy (the DCF was away), the officer said he visited the site and was convinced that there is a need for widening the road. His observation was based on a few minutes of observing the traffic on the stretch of the road. “When we asked whether a survey was done to assess traffic density, the response was ‘no’. How can the Forest Department give permission without any serious analysis especially when the previous DCF had refused permission?” they question.
Asked why there was no public hearing, the ACF’s response was that it would be held only when 50 trees or more are involved. Since there was no Tree Authority in Mysuru, he could not seek its permission. Why did he not wait for the constitution of the Tree Authority and then follow the procedure as per the Tree Act, the activists asked. The petition is signed by Maj-Gen (retired) Sudhir Vombatkere, S. Shobana (retired principal of Teachers’ Training College), Nanjapur Yaduraju (retired agricultural scientist), Usha Subramanium (retired scientist, Ministry of Environment), Venkatesh Kharidi (entrepreneur) and Bhamy V. Shenoy (international energy expert). District authorities urged to divert sewage to save lake Concerned citizens visit Thipparayana Kere (Hindu Jan 15, 2021) Environmentalists of Mysuru have expressed concern over sewage entering a lake in a layout developed by Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and sought immediate measures to save the water body.