Save Trees - Save Lalbagh

 

Dear friends yesterday I had posted a sms review on BMRC (Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation ) Continued with the Tree Felling at Lalbagh. I am thankful for the useful suggestions given by my MSian friends, Specially Mr Jai Raj (our MS Knowledge bank) Mr Umesh, Mr Arun, Mr Ajay ,Mr Javeed Ahamed,Mr Dev,Mr Harish & others .

I am happy to inform you all that the High Court has ordered BMRC not to cut Trees between the RV Road & Lalbagh West gate. BMRC has assured no more Trees will be cut.

The trees are an integral part of human race. The benefits we receive from a tree are many.

I am very sad to say, these days even the civic authorities are cutting down trees in the name of development. But unfortunately, many do not know the consequences they are causing due to their negligent activities.

The massacre of trees means putting an axe to the very existence of human race. No doubt, the continuous felling of trees will cause irreparable damage to the already perishing flora and fauna of our country. The need of the hour is to carefully plan and felling of trees. The truth is that it is more profitable to leave a tree standing than fell it.

A recent study says that there is a direct loss of over Rupees fifty thousand per year for each tree that is cut. It is estimated that one tree yields oxygen worth thirty thousand rupees. If we cut trees at the current alarming rate, soon we need to install oxygen manufacturing units in every corner of the country, especially in the urban area which would cost a very high price that no government can afford.

Tree absorb water from the ground, and then through transpiration, transmit this water to air as water vapor. In short, the cost of replacing a single felled tree proves very expensive indeed.

I understand & do agree that every engineering project has environmental cost. But there seems to be a problem in balancing development with environmental impact. But very sorry to say that,In the modern world of ours even the concerned authorities are chopping down the trees in the name of development.

The Metro rail axe fell on the precious trees in historic Lalbagh over the weekend,

Despite mounting pressure from NGOs and the people to stop the cutting of trees.

The Lalgabh is the heart of our garden City Bangalore. Just for the records, Hyder Ali commissioned the botanical garden in 1760, which has the largest variety of plants in Asia. His son Tippu Sultan completed the park that spreads over 240 acres. The garden that has over thousand species of flora has a glass house on the lines of London's Crystal Palace. Lalbagh is famous for the flower shows held twice a year.

A heritage place like Lalbagh can't be acquired for developmental work. The Trees in Lalbagh also have heritage value.

The BMRCL (Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited) & Land Army's JCB vehicles have smashed the compound wall of Lalbagh. About three hundred and fifty feet of the compound wall along RV road has been demolished and trees are marked for cutting to accommodate the proposed Metro station here.

More than twenty feet of the park from RV road has been marked for acquisition, which, according to residents, is in violation of the law.

The issue is still pending in court. Moreover the work is in violation of high court direction that restricts cutting trees without clearance by a tree officer.

The BBMP Tree Officer has confirmed that the tree cutting in Lalbagh was not approved at all. If this can happen to trees in Lalbagh, you can imagine what this means to trees across the city.

Trees can't be cut and law doesn't permit anyone to destroy a place of heritage value.

God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools. (John Muir)

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