Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Feb 23: A meeting was held between the forest department and environmentalists here on Tuesday February 23 on the proposed deputy commissioner's office at Padil. The meeting was chaired by DC A B Ibrahim.

During the meeting, a discussion was held on the likelihood of chopping down 386 trees, which the forest department said could be done as the area did not come under reserved forest area, and to which the environmentalists opposed.

"In a survey conducted by the forest regional committee for the proposed DC complex at Padil, it was found that the complex did not come under the reserved forest area nor was the area included in the definition and criteria of deemed forests. The committee had identified 386 trees of which 66 were natural and 320 planted trees and 38 are coconut trees and eight are bamboo shrubs," said deputy conservator of forest (DCF) Dr Hanumanthappa.

"The entire building will come up in 5.44 acres of land. In the proposed site, there are buildings in 60 cents already which have been excluded in the survey. The net area for the proposed building is 1.93 hectare," he said.

Opposing his stance, advocate and environmentalist, Suma R Nayak said, "There are more than 50 trees which have GHB of more than 30 cm and not included in the survey. Also, despite asking several times, we were not given the survey report."

In response to Suma's claim, deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim asked her to give her complaint in the written form and said even the administration is concerned about the environment. He also directed the DCF to submit a copy of the survey report to Suma Nayak.

The DC further said that he had written to the government about this issue and said he would not be taking this case, but the government had ordered him to take it up and conduct the hearing.

"We are raising our objection so that nature is not harmed in the process of building the proposed complex. The place is rich in greenery and can be converted into a good biodiversity park. Several trees will be axed in the process of building the complex," said Suma S Nayak.

The committee's report will be sent to the divisional committee chaired by regional commissioner of revenue, Mysuru, informed the DCF.

ADC Kumar, activist Kateel Dinesh Pai and others were present.