Tree cutting: High Court fumes at BDA

BANGALORE: The High Court on Tuesday lambasted the BDA for cutting down 43 trees for signal-free corridor from Sirsi Circle to Agara Lake.“You (BDA) are cutting down trees which are hundred years old to construct the unscientific road in the name of development. Have you ever thought of the difficulties? Who gave you the permission to cut trees?” asked a division bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice B V Nagarathna.Counsel for BDA replied, “In connection with the work, we have to cut 188 trees. At present we have taken permission to cut 88 trees from the officials and accordingly 43 trees have been cut down. We are planting saplings.”“It is the duty of the government to protect environment. It seems like left hand gave the permission to right hand. Is it right to cut down hundred-year-old trees and plant new saplings,” Justice Sen asked.He directed the BDA to produce the permission letter obtained to cut trees and to submit a detailed project report on the construction of the corridor and adjourned the matter for further hearing on the case.During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated, “This project is unscientific and the BDA has started this project without giving the report to a technical committee and till now they have not prepared the project report and they cut down trees without taking permission.”