Mysuru: Strongly opposing the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI)plans for relocation of 278 out of the 350 trees marked for felling to facilitate the construction of the ramp for the flyover at Manipal Hospital junction on Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway, environmentalists of the city have urged the NHAI to drop such plans as it is not viable.

Several environmentalists held a meeting in this regard under the aegis of ‘Parisarakkaagi Naavu’ organisation at the Park opposite a function Hall on Nelson Mandela Road in Bannimantap this morning, where they took exception to the Forest Department’s permission to NHAI for relocation of trees.

‘Parisarakkaagi Naavu’ General Secretary Parashuramegowda, who was among the first speakers, opposed the move for relocation of trees. “The NHAI has quoted the Forest Department’s permission for relocation of 278 out of the 350 trees that it had sought to translocate at Bannimantap Parks  for facilitating  the construction of the flyover. But the NHAI has not specified the species of trees that it wants to translocate. This may be just a ploy to fool the public,” he said and urged the authorities to honour the opinion of public before taking any action.

Activist Ravi Bale said that they were opposed to the construction of the ramp for the flyover, by relocating fully grown invaluable trees. Maintaining that there is no opposition to the relocation of small trees, he demanded the saving of at least one park on either side of the road. He also wanted to know where the NHAI  and the Forest Department would to plant the 1,000 trees which they have promised.

Another activist Mansoor said the construction of the flyover has been causing a lot of problems for residents of surrounding areas such as Siddiquenagar. He warned of launching an ‘Appiko’ movement if the NHAI and the Forest Department fail to address the environmental concerns of the public.

Prof. U.N. Ravikumar said that relocation of a single tree would cost at least Rs.2.5 lakh and the survival rate of the translocated trees is just about 30 percent. Stressing on the execution of the project through alternate measures other than felling or relocation of trees, he demanded environmental and ecological friendly growth.

Bhanu Prashanth suggested making the road that runs behind the LIC Head Office as two-way from the present one-way can be another alternative for  easing traffic congestion. Arguing that such a measure will help in the saving of trees to a large extent, he expressed concern that the felling of trees may not stop at the junction, but may well expand up to the Millennium Circle.

Prof. Kalachannegowda termed the Forest Department’s plans for planting a thousand trees as bogus. Asserting that there is no space at all for planting such a huge number of saplings in the vicinity of the flyover project, he contended that re-location is not easy as only a few  species of the fully grown trees can be relocated.

Activist Banu Mohan said that while the Supreme Court has ordered  saving of trees, the authorities here are doing just the opposite by destroying the parks in the area for the                                   construction of the flyover.

Many other activists including Maj. Gen. (Retd.) S.G. Vombatkere too expressed opposition to relocation or felling of fully grown trees for the flyover project.