Mysuru: Amid the growing opposition of environmentalists to cut the trees near Manipal Hospital junction (Kempegowda Circle) at the entrance of Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway in Bannimantap for the ongoing flyover works, 10 huge trees have been axed yesterday.

The trees on either side of the Highway were brought down to build the ramp for the flyover. Earlier, a total of 347 trees belonging to 21 different species were marked for cutting, including 19 at Fountain Circle in Siddique Nagar, 256 trees at the park in Bannimantap and roadside, 52 trees in the middle of Hunsur Road, 20 trees in the middle of Nanjangud Road.

When the environmentalists raised severe exception for cutting a big number of trees, Forest Department had resolved to transplant 278 trees and retain nine trees at the same spot, giving its approval to cut only 65 trees. While the green lovers had urged to axe only those trees depending on the inevitable requirements.

Accordingly, only 10 trees including that of Hippe (Indian Butter Tree), Akash Mallige (Indian Cork Tree), Beete (Indian Rosewood), Hebbevu (Melia Dubia) and other species were cut for the flyover works.

Mysuru Territorial Division Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) K. Paramesh told Star of Mysore, “we had prepared to carry out development works, without cutting the trees. While instructions had been given to remove only those trees, which were found inevitable. Following the spot inspection, trees were finally cut.

‘Parisarakkagi Naavu’ General Secretary Parashurame Gowda clarified, “we are not against any development works. It may be either Outer Ring Road (ORR) works or that of flyover, but insisted one evaluating the possibilities of retaining any trees marked for cutting.”

“We won’t allow any unscientific decisions in the name of cutting trees, which may apparently affect the green cover of the city,” warned Gowda.

To bridge the gap, a large number of locally available saplings should be planted for every trees cut and should be maintained for a minimum of three years, demanded Gowda.