In a symbolic gesture, more than 300 residents of all age groups and from all corners of Bengaluru assembled this morning to inaugurate an initiative: #ಮರಹತ್ಯೆತಡೆಯೋಜನೆ (MaraHatyeThadeYojane (Project Stop tree felling))

Srinivas Alavilli, co founder of Citizens for Bengaluru said “This yojane is in response to the marking Of 144 trees on Bellary Road by KRDCL. KRDCL seems to be making preparations for cutting these trees for elevated corridor project. However, environmental impact assessment(EIA) has not been done and environmental clearance has not been granted for this project. Due process was not followed and public consultation not held in violation of KTCP Act. This is also the reason for NGT and High Court not clear the earlier steel flyover project. There is massive public opposition because viable alternatives that do not involve killing trees such as public transport are not being considered. Thousands of post cards have been sent to the CM and the DCM asking for public consultation #JanaraMaatuKeLi and we are not sure if they are reading them.  The need of the hour is to create inclusive forums to come up with a sustainable transport plan, not yet another project! Marking these trees is disregarding the law and public sentiment.

To show our solidarity with our beloved trees we gathered in peaceful assembly and took a pledge (see below). Government after government is keen to announce various yojanes that seem to destroy our precious green cover. In response, we would like to commit ourselves a to #ಮರಹತ್ಯೆತಡೆಯೋಜನೆ. #MaraHatyeThadeYojane.

Tara Krishnaswamy co founder of CfB said: “Do we realise that the budget for the 102 km set of flyovers exceeds the sum of budget allocations to public education and heath for all of Karnataka? The extraordinary sum to be spent on this one project, its rationale, alternatives and details are not on any master plan or mobility plan for the city, not scrutinised or approved by experts, the elected city planning commitee,  and the people themselves as per the Town & Country Planning Act. Further, the GoK was instructed by the NGT not to build a flyover along that alignment due to potential environmental damage. What is equally bad is that the former CM Siddaramiah, rightfully said that if people don’t want it, why should they build it, recognising that the people of Bengaluru were clear that a flyover along that route would not solve traffic problems, and the people would rather see the money spent on trains, Metro & buses in the city. For the Dy CM, of the same party, to proceed with this, and for the KRDCL to mark trees for massacre is not only a brazen disregard of the courts, it is an insult to the will of the peope. We have not elected them to do what they please; we have elected them to uphold the will of the people.”

CfB volunteers along with members of various environmental and civic groups, resident welfare associations participated. Mr Vijay Nishant Tree doctor explained the history of trees of Mekhri circle and the efforts being made to protect the bio diversity of Bengaluru, and Mr DT Devare Trustee Bangalore Environment Trust highlighted the results of environmental studies and effects of pollution, Satya Sankaran, Bicycle Mayor, Mr Ramesh Dutt President CAF, Chitra Venkatesh President Kumara Park RWA, Kumar Jahgirdar and many civic leaders took part.

Pledge 

ಮರಗಳೇ ನಾಡಿನ ಹಸಿರು
ಮರಗಳೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಉಸಿರು
ಮರಗಳ್ಳಿಲದೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಊರು ಮರುಭೂಮಿ
ಬನ್ನಿ ಉಳಿಸೋಣ ನಮ್ಮ ಹಸಿರು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರನ್ನು

*Organizations participated in #MaraHatyeTadeYojane*

• Bengaluru Environment Trust(BET)
• Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike
• Praja-Raag
• CiFOS
• Carmelaram Unites
• Bellandur Jothege
• I Change Indiranagar
• – Abshot Layout RWA
• – Chakravarthy & Chandavarkar Layouts’ HOWA
• – Srikanthan Layout RWA
• – Sadashivnagar RWA
• – Citizens Initiative for Jayamahal Area
• – Vishveshwariya Nagar RWA
• – ESAF
• – MSI Malleswaram Swabhimana
• Malleswaram Social
• – Pp layout BSK 5th stage RWA-
• Garuthman Park RWA
• Abhaya-Girinagar RWA
• AICobo BTM layout RWA
• Muthuraya Swamy Layout Residents Welfare Association,Hulimavu
• Social Aminition Assocaition, Indiranagar
• REWABE, Milton street
• Vignananagar Lakeside RWA
• ORARWA
• Cooktown RWA
• RRNagar I Care