Sir, 

This is with reference to the clearance by the Forest Department to cut down 22 fully grown trees on KRS Road for RUB underpass project at the KRS Road railway crossing. 

Every time there is a development project the first axe falls on trees. The trees on this stretch are fully grown which provide shade and a cooling effect from the scorching sun. 

We should remember that it takes 20 to 30 years for a tree to grow, but it takes only a few minutes to cut it down. The mantra should be development and environment and not development versus environment. 

We are facing El Nino effect this year and every 2 years. The sooner we realise the harm every development project causes, better for humanity else our future is doomed. Why can’t these trees be translocated to a different location? Is it absolutely necessary to cut them down?  

Our actions now have implications for our future generations. I request the Railways, Government of Karnataka, NHAI and other stakeholders to look at options to save these trees as we are losing green cover at an alarming pace  

—Kasi Ganeshan  

Metagalli  

1.8.2026