Tree Felling Sparks Row in Someshwara: Forest Dept Faces Heat Over Coastal Trees

Mangaluru– Tensions have escalated within Someshwara town municipality following allegations that the forest department cut down trees not included in the list officially submitted by municipal authorities.

The municipality had earlier provided a list identifying potentially dangerous trees—two wind-breakers close to the shoreline, and others near Uchila Bhagavathi School and the nearby bus stand—citing safety concerns for students and daily commuters.

However, residents and officials allege that the forest department disregarded the submitted list and instead felled five healthy, valuable wind-breaking trees along the Someshwara coast. To add to the controversy, these trees were uprooted and removed from the site, sparking strong resentment and raising suspicions about the motives behind the action.

Someshwara Town Municipality Vice President Ravishankar Someshwara expressed concern over the incident. “The list we submitted contained trees that posed a genuine threat to public safety. Shockingly, none of those trees have been cut. Instead, coastal wind-breaking trees have been removed without our knowledge or consent,” he said.

He emphasized that the municipality will officially seek clarification from the forest department and demand accountability for what locals view as an unauthorized and potentially harmful act.

The removal of these trees has sparked broader worries about environmental stability along the coastal stretch, where such wind-breakers play a crucial role in erosion control and storm protection.

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