We have no role in cutting trees: Forest Department clarifies

Will annual Chunchanakatte Jalapathotsava be cancelled?

Mysuru:  Clarifying on the cutting of trees, the Forest Department officials told Star of Mysore that the Public Works Department (PWD) had sent a proposal to them stating that the trees were an impediment to development works and must be axed.

“Following a proposal from the Tourism Department on the development of Chunchanakatte Falls, the PWD conducted a survey and did the paperwork. The PWD had told tourism officials that the 14 trees along the road to Chunchanakatte Falls were blocking development works and need to be cut. Later the PWD sent us a proposal to cut the trees and we called for bidders and auctioned the trees. This process fetched us an income of over Rs. 3,40,000. All the 14 trees will be chopped now,” a Forest official said.

Sources said that by axing the trees, the PWD and the Tourism Department want to take up a “Comprehensive Development Project” for Chunchanakatte Falls. However, reports from Bengaluru say that this year’s Chunchanakatte Jalapathotsava is likely to be cancelled.

The Jalapathotsava with illuminated surroundings and cultural programmes was scheduled to be held on Sept. 5.Government sources told SOM that this year, the Jalapathotsava is likely to be cancelled as the State Government wants to utilise those funds for flood relief.

However, Tourism Department officials said that the annual event would be held on Sept. 14 and 15. “Each Department has its own funds and like this, even Tourism Department has a budget and funds have to be used for that purpose only. Money cannot be diverted to other purposes like flood relief. A proposal to conduct Jalapathotsava at Chunchanakatte with a budget of Rs. 1 crore has been sent to Government and we are waiting for approval,” said a Tourism official.