Mangaluru: The meeting on government’s proposal of felling of 503 trees for the construction of new DC Complex at Padil, turned chaotic on January 4, after two groups engaged in verbal attacks in favour of and against the proposal.
The forest department had conducted the meeting at Deputy Conservator’s Office at Padil.
Tension began as one group comprising 10 Congress councillors including Harinath and Shashidar Hegde favoured the felling of trees on 5.89 acres of forest land in Alape Padil. Shashidar Hegde also stated that there was no need to politicise the issue. “We just want the DC complex to be constructed in Padil”, he reiterated.
The meeting took an ugly turn while a group favoured the felling of trees and a group of environmental activists opposed it. To maintain peace in the meeting, the police were called in.
Activist Suma Nayak speaking to media, alleged that the meeting was planned at a short notice. At least the forest department should have given 15 days time to the general public to take part in the meeting, she opined. She also said the department should conduct the meeting in a spacious venue.
The activists also suggested that the DC complex could be constructed without destroying the trees. Environmental activist Dinesh Holla, Kateel Dinesh Pai and Shashidar Shetty also supported Suma’s view.
During the meeting, DFO Karikalan asked those who were present to submit their statement in writing regarding the proposal.About 95 people opposed the felling of trees and 94 people supported their felling.
