Nailing trees for Dasara lights halted

DCF to issue notices to MCC, CESC seeking explanation

Mysuru: Following the Star of Mysore report, ‘NAILED…!’, published yesterday on Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) contractors driving nails, iron clamps and metal pegs into trees to install Dasara illumination, the work has been abruptly stopped today.

The report had highlighted how the contractors were using trees along Chamaraja Double Road to fix serial bulbs and light displays.

Environmentalists had objected to the practice, pointing out that several trees had hundreds of nails hammered into their trunks and branches. Decorative lights and powerful LED fixtures were being mounted on the trees, while nails and clamps fixed during the previous Dasara had not been removed.

More than 130 trees along Chamaraja Double Road alone had been identified for installing festival lights. The practice drew strong opposition over concerns that repeated drilling and nailing could cause long-term damage to the trees.

Notice to MCC, CESC

Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Territorial) K. Paramesh said, he had taken note of the violation and would issue formal notices to the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) and CESC.

“Driving nails into a tree causes severe damage to its protective bark. Unlike humans, trees cannot express their pain when they are harmed,” he said.

The notices will seek an explanation from the authorities on who authorised the installations and why methods that could damage trees were used.

Star of Mysore also contacted CESC Managing Director M.S. Archana regarding the Corporation’s role in the installation.

While an assurance was initially given that the matter would be looked into, an official response from CESC is awaited.

For now, the installation work has stopped. It is expected that the authorities will review guidelines for illumination and ensure that decorative lighting does not cause physical damage to avenue trees.