Karnataka HC asks state govt to find solutions to save trees

BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court ordered the state government to form a panel of environment, science and technology experts to understand the environmental and geographical aspects to save the trees beingcut under Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) metro projects.

A division bench of Chief Justice L Narayana Swamy and Justice PS Dinesh Kumar passed the order on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL)filed by Dattatraya TDevare and Bangalore Environment Trust in 2018. The petition claimed that BMRCL did not regulate any experts’ team for the consultation process before cutting trees for metro projects. Bangalore Environment Trust had earlier forwarded a letter to the authority to remind their duties to save trees. The petition said that the BMRCL failed to follow the Karnataka Preservation of Tree Act, 1976 and Karnataka Preservation of Trees Rules, 1977.

The bench said that the authorities will only be permitted to cut trees if they don’t find any option or method to save trees. Experts are expected to examine the study and provide the solutions to save trees as it is a serious concern related to our environment, the bench added.

The petitioners mentioned that the BMRCL will be cutting around 250 more trees between Bannerghatta Road and Nagavara stretch of metro rail, and 100 trees between Hosur Road and Vellara Junction.