Mysuru: Environmental activists have strongly objected to the levelling and clearing of vegetation at the proposed Velodrome and Sports Complex site in Sathagalli, adjacent to the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) Regional Centre.

Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, ParisarakkagiNaavu General Secretary Parashuramegowda, who has been spearheading the agitation against Kambala, alleged that the site had been completely cleared, with felled trees dumped in a nearby lakebed. He also alleged that many parts of the site showed signs of burning.

He expressed concern over the destruction of the local ecology, lakebed and biodiversity, saying the activity was being carried out despite repeated appeals by civic and environmental groups against constructing the cycling velodrome and sports facilities on the green cover.

While officials maintain that only thorny bushes and wild growth were removed to facilitate a land survey, Parashuramegowda claimed that several trees that had earlier been counted at the site were now missing.

“DYES is clandestinely carrying out Kambala-related work in the name of a velodrome. We will launch a massive agitation soon against misleading the public,” he said.