Bengaluru: Trees grown to make up for Metro lines now facing axe

BENGALURU: More than 2,000 trees, many grown by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to compensate for the loss of green cover due to Namma Metro and other projects, are now facing the axe. Ironically, they’ve been proposed to be cut for Metro’s Orange Line.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), under phase 3 of Namma Metro, plans to build a 32-km line from JP Nagar to Kempapura by connecting Pink Line and Blue Line.In the first stage, BMRCL has identified 2,174 trees for removal to build an elevated line from JP Nagar IV Phase to Mysuru Road, with eight stations, and to widen the road.

BBMP’s deputy conservator of forests and tree officer has initiated a public consultation with regard to the removal of these trees.
BMRCL is yet to determine the number of trees to be removed for the remaining stretch from Mysuru Road to Kempapura, and for another Orange Line corridor from Hoshalli to Kadabagere (a separate line on Magadi Road). As part of Orange Line, BMRCL is also proposing to build a depot on 75 acres near Sumanahalli junction.
The ORR stretch in the eastern and northern parts of the city has already witnessed the removal of thousands of trees located on the median for the construction of the Blue Line, connecting Silk Board with Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). To build the elevated line from Silk Board to KR Pura (phase 2A), BMRCL had identified 2,522 trees for removal. Of them, 77 were retained, 807 translocated, and 1,638 axed. From KR Pura to KIA, 3,058 trees were identified for removal, out of which 59 were retained, 255 translocated, and 2,744 axed.
Activist: Why the hurry?
Dattatraya T Devare, of Bangalore Environment Trust, has objected to the public notice for removal of trees, saying BMRCL has approached BBMP for the removal of hundreds of trees even before phase 3 gets approved by the central govt. “BMRCL should conduct environmental impact assessments and make the document public. Metro phase 3 alignment shouldn’t be finalized unless all alternatives to save trees are explored,” he said.
Citing the example of the construction of an underground Metro station near All Saints’ Church in the city, Devare said BMRCL had initially identified 45 trees for axing, but with a change in design plans, the number was reduced to 16.
“In compliance with the Karnataka high court’s order, BMRCL and the tree officer are expected to file quarterly reports on translocation and compensatory afforestation. No reports are available after Aug 2023. I feel it is rather inappropriate to apply for felling of 2,174 trees after three quarterly reports haven’t been filed on time,” Devare said in his objections to the tree officer.
He added that the city and its surroundings are facing an environmental crisis, and all public agencies should avoid tree felling.