Sir,

This is with reference to Dr. K. Javeed Nayeem’s ‘Over a cup of evening tea’ published in Star of Mysore on Friday (May 3) where he had written on a Gulmohar tree under the title “Gulmohar Gone forever… But Hope lives on!”

I think this article should be an eye-opener for both Mysuru City Corporation and the vandals. I have been enjoying views of Gulmohar flowers during summer in Mysuru since the last 40 years and seeing the trees, I am reminded of Shalimar Flower Garden that is considered as one of the famous gardens in Kashmir. This Garden was built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his wife Nur Jahan and its name Shalimar means abode of love. This Garden is known for its Gulmohar trees and roses. 

To save Gulmohar and other trees in Mysuru, the Forest Department must number the trees like they do in forests to have proper accountability and visibility. Numbering Gulmohar trees and taking census will help the Department save them from being chopped off for one reason or other.

Secondly, the trees must not be planted in such places like below electric wires, near buildings and places where roads are set to be widened. Once the road is marked to be widened, the immediate casualty is trees. Suitable places must be identified to plant such trees so that it can grow to be a prominent feature of any particular road.

Thirdly, the Forest Department and the City Corporation must initiate measures to plant Gulmohar trees at all parks in city. The number of trees to be planted can be decided depending on the size of the park. Planting Gulmohar will enhance the aesthetic beauty of the parks and in addition it can provide good shade.

– A.B. Ponnappa, Mysuru, 3.5.2019

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