Bengaluru: A major controversy has erupted over the Railway Department’s Commercial Development Project at Cantonment, which proposes cutting down 368 trees — including century-old Peepal, Rubber, and Christmas trees.
The BBMP Forest Wing has now invited public objections before granting permission for the project. Environmental groups are demanding an immediate halt if it involves felling heritage trees.
According to an official notice from the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), the Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA) has sought permission to remove trees within the Bangalore Cantonment Railway Colony premises at Vasanth Nagar.
BLG Swamy, DCF of the BBMP Forest Wing, said the notification was issued last Friday. Citizens have 10 days to submit objections, after which the BBMP will decide whether to allow the project. “If public sentiment is against it, we cannot permit the felling,” Swamy stated.
Biodiversity Management Committee member Vijay Nishanth condemned the proposal. “Whenever authorities tried to remove trees for needless projects, citizen protests have successfully blocked them,” he noted.
Nishanth announced the launch of a campaign called ‘Save Cantonment Heritage Trees’, encouraging residents to send protest emails to the BBMP and RLDA.
He further criticized the BBMP for not rejecting the request outright. “Seeking opinions on such a blatant environmental threat shows poor judgment,” he said. Nishanth also urged Union Minister of State for Railways, V. Somanna, to intervene and protect the city’s dwindling greenery.
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