Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Jun 16: A public hearing was held at range forest office at Hoigebazar on Wednesday, June 15, with regard to identification of more than 3500 trees for the purpose of road widening from Bikarnakatte to Saanur spanning a length of 45.34 kilometers.
Out of 45.34 kilometers, 18.5 kilometers falls under the Mangaluru forest division. 912 trees are in private land for which they a stay has been obtained. Environmentalists objected to the move made by forest department over identification of trees and have urged for a re-survey so that several trees can be saved.
Project director H S Lingegowda said,”The road stretch is 45 meters and the trees coming under 45 meters have been identified and it won’t be axed unnecessarily.”
ACF Subramanya denied that there will be any joint survey as demanded, instead those who objected can visit the spot along with forest officials.
Speaking to daijiworld.com, environmentalist Jeeth Milan Roche said, “It is unfortunate that more than 2000 trees will be identified for the purpose of road widening from Bikarnakatte to Saanur. We have urged to conduct a joint survey so that few trees can be saved or shifted to other locations. Whenever road is widened they should keep trees in mind. Here, they keep road in mind and then axe the trees.”
It may be recalled that more than 100 trees were saved after environmentalist interfered during the widening of the Padil – Pumpwell road.