More trouble for J P Nagar park?

BANGALORE: It seems there is no end to controversies surrounding the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Park in J P Nagar IV Phase. Now, a few residents are blaming the local councillor for felling  trees in the park, which is said to be serious offence.Three years ago, the residents had sensed that vested interests were out to grab the land by building a temple and later use it for commercial purposes. They had even asked  BBMP to develop a park in the premises. But when it did not work out, they went to court. In October 2008, the High Court ordered that the site had been earmarked for a public park. It also said that  putting up a temple is improper and impermissible.Later,  the Horticulture Department and Forest Department tried planting trees in the park. The Palike spent around Rs. 18 lakh on the project and even deputed a watchman to look after the park.A resident who did not wish to reveal his identity said that on Monday, Councilor Chandrashekhar Raju along with a few miscreants destroyed the plants and trees that were planted inside the park. “Though it is a CA site, some vested interests constructed  a temple and later Navagraha mantap was also constructed. Now, there is a plan to construct a wedding hall. One can imagine the noise if a wedding hall comes up there,” he added.When contacted, Chandrashekhar Raju said that the Horticulture and Forest Departments had planted saplings at a distance of five to six feet so that they can get sufficient space to grow . Now these saplings have grown into small trees. “A few localites who did not want others to enter the premises planted few more saplings between these small trees. I have received complaints  to clear these saplings. We have not destroyed the trees,” he clarified.But it seems BBMP is not aware of this thing. When contacted, Horticulture Superintendent (South) Subbanna  said that the councillor is not responsible for destroying the trees. “In fact, they are not trees, they are just plants that were planted seven months ago. Some miscreants have done it. BBMP forest wing has filed an FIR and investigation is going on,” he added.