Plan to Cut 368 Century-Old Heritage Trees for Railway Project in Bangalore Sparks Public Backlash

Cantonments across the country are known to harbour an abundance of greenery, especially trees that are sometimes centuries old.

These trees have escaped the axe due to strict rules that limit commercial activities in the cantonments. These trees often act as oxygen reservoirs for the city as a whole.

Therefore, when a commercial development project by the Railways in Bangalore’s historic Cantonment area was announced, it sparked widespread outrage. The project is located within the Bangalore Cantonment Railway Colony in Vasanth Nagar.

The outrage increased when it was revealed that 368 trees, many of which are at least a century old, will be cut down to make space for the commercial project.

The matter came to light when a request for cutting the trees was submitted by the RLDA’s Joint General Manager.

As per a report by Media House Indian Express, many of the trees included heritage species like Christmas trees, Peepul, and Rubber trees. The trees are located within the Bangalore Cantonment Railway Colony in Vasanth Nagar.

When the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Forest Wing asked the public for objections to the cutting of the trees, it evoked anger, with many citizens questioning why the BBMP had permitted the project, which required the mass cutting of trees in the first place.

The Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA) is overseeing the project under the aegis of the Ministry of Railways.

BBMP Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), BLG Swamy, stated that the general public could put forth their objections within 10 days. They could also give suggestions and feedback regarding the forthcoming project.

The Forest Department will consider the objections and suggestions, and based on the number and nature of objections, will inform the Railway Department. He also added that if there are overwhelming objections to the felling of the trees by the public, permission will be denied.

Incidentally, the Karnataka Government has given the additional responsibility of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to Maheshwar Rao M, who is currently tasked with managing the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).

He is taking over as the new Chief Commissioner of BBMP.

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