Bengaluru, 18 Aug

A healthy rain tree, which stood tall in Sachidananda Nagar, 1st Main Road, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, for more than 40 years, was chopped down on Saturday by a wood contractor without following due procedures.

A group of residents have filed a complaint with Rajarajeshwari Nagar Police against Deputy Conservator of Forests in BBMP Forest Cell over the tree felling.

On 12 August, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's (BBMP) Forest Cell issued an order to fell the tree and contractor BN Prasanna Kumar chopped down the tree, sparking outrage among residents and environmentalists, a statement said. According to protocol, the zonal forest officer is required to visit the location and submit a report before any such decision is made; however, the officer concerned didn't do so. It has been alleged that the contractor influenced BBMP officials to get the order passed, using his connections with a political leader, residents said.

GR Banuprakash, Deputy Conservator of Forests in BBMP Forest Cell, dispatched an officer to investigate the incident and said he was not aware of this matter.

Speaking to Salar News, Shankar Narayan, 74, a resident, said he tried to prevent the tree from being felled. “This tree was vital for our community, and it did no harm to anyone,” he said. Another resident of the area, Raju S, said: “This was a daylight eco-crime, and we must hold those responsible accountable.”

Citizens can complaint about illegal tree felling by emailing to dcfbbmp12@gmail.com, comm@bbmp.gov.in, cm.kar@nic.in or pccfkar@gmail.com.  —Salar News