Renowned Botanist Dr. S. Natesh to lead discussion on protection of trees

Mysuru: As a result of the murder of 40 fully grown heritage trees on Hyder Ali Road on Apr. 13, protection of trees has come to the city’s agenda again. Environmentalists had organised several protests to condemn this senseless crime by holding a candle light march, planting saplings on Hyder Ali Road where trees were felled, online petition, complaints to the Chief Minister, Lokayukta, National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairman and Mysuru Deputy Commissioner.

On Apr. 19, Forest Minster Eshwar Khandre asked the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to conduct an inquiry and submit a report on the murder of trees in seven days.

On Apr. 21, Deputy Commissioner  G. Lakshmikanth Reddy ordered another inquiry by a three-member committee headed by MUDA Commissioner in seven days. Unfortunately, there has been no development regarding the public inquiry.

Despite the protests, there were several attempts to fell some more trees. In Mysuru, whenever there is obstruction from trees, first resort seems to fell them to solve the problem. In fact, it should be the final one after considering all other alternatives including how to save them.

There is a project to fell 175 trees in Dattagalli by KPTCL to facilitate High Tension power line when there are other alternatives. On Manandavadi Road, there was a request to axe 125 trees for widening the road. Then there were ten mature trees felled in St. Philomena’s College campus without getting prior approval.

In this background, Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) is organising a meeting to prevent felling trees when they can be saved. The meeting, to be held  on May 11 (Sunday) at 4 pm, at MGP Office,  6/1, Vivekananda Road, Yadavagiri, will be led by renowned Botanist Dr. S. Natesh.

Author of the book “Iconic Trees of India” released in 2024,  Dr. Natesh retired after serving as a Senior Advisor in the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. A recipient of Biospectrum Lifetime Achievement Award, a new plant species Aponogeton nateshii is named in his honour.  At DBT, Dr. Natesh headed the International Collaboration Division for 9 years. 

MGP can be contacted on Ph:0821-2515150.