Mysuru:  Expressing anguish over overnight felling of trees, nearly a hundred Yadavagiri residents, environmental activists and nature lovers, under the leadership of Mysore Grahakara Parishat  (MGP) performed ‘Funeral rites’ this morning for two cut down fully grown and Green Gulmohar trees close to a hospital on Yadavagiri’s Vivekananda Road near Ta.Ra.Su Circle (Akashavani Circle), off KRS Road.

The two trees, which provided shelter to citizens and patients visiting the hospital and provided clean air in the surroundings for over 40 years, were chopped off overnight recently.

While a Priest performed the  associated ‘rituals’ to the two chopped off trees using the articles generally used for the conduct of  ‘last rites’, people who had gathered, paid their ‘tributes’ by offering rose flowers and garlands to the two felled trees. They  prayed that the trees come alive again. They also took a pledge not to allow felling of trees in the future, come what may.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhamy V. Shenoy of MGP, wondered what the Forest Department and other concerned Government Bodies were doing when the fully grown trees were felled down.

Maintaining that the authorities have the powers to penalise Rs. 50,000 per tree for those who unauthorisedly cut down trees, he said that the penalty for the culprits must be more than trebled as a deterrent for tree fellers and they should also be prosecuted.

Strongly condemning the chopping of two Gulmohar trees, Shenoy said that all the concerned authorities should make collective efforts for preventing felling of trees and thus save nature and the environment which are facing real threat due to indiscreet felling of trees for the sake of development and other reasons.

He warned that an ‘Appiko’ type Movement will be launched if the Government, private parties  or other agencies come forward for chopping down trees.

Yadavagiri Corporator D.V. Ravindra, activists Suman Bhamy V. Shenoy, Parashuramegowda, Dr. S. Ranganath, Srikanth Kotivruksha and others were present.