I had posted a few days ago regarding Janet’s efforts to plant trees and am glad to report that several people have contacted her. On the same lines, I read about this request from Leo F. Saldanha from the Environment Support Group today.

Saldanha writes: “The Deputy Conservator of Forests (Tree Officer) Bruhat Blore Mahanagara Palike has called for a meeting that will decide the “removal” of trees for the Metro project and “developmental activities in BBMP area”. In some ways it is a small victory of sorts, as this meeting is called despite the BBMP having issued orders to fell trees in Sheshadri Road, Palace Road, etc. A joint inspection by the Engineering Staff of BBMP (Road Widening division) and Tree Officer of BBMP along with ESG and CIVIC representatives, has probably resulted in this new thinking to consult the wide public.

There is something very important to notice in the letter however: the description includes almost every tree in public and private lands in Bangalore city area. We need to have a formal, prepared and effective response to these proposals.

The meeting is scheduled for Friday 24th August 2007, and it is a very important forum for us to utilise and
bring some rationale and sense into the ongoing tree felling efforts (contrast this with the tree growing efforts of the government of the 1980s!).”

Kathyayini Chamaraj of CIVIC writes: “Only a huge number of protestors, who are willing to spare the time and come to BBMP office for the Friday, August 24th meeting, at 11.30 am can save the trees in central Bangalore. Please come in full numbers otherwise the core of Bangalore will become a desert. Looking forward to your active participation.”

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To register your protest and take part, please attend the meeting on 24th August at 1130 am at the BBMP office (meeting hall no 1). And do pass the news around. As Chamaraj points out, at the rate at which our trees are being felled, it won’t be long before Bangalore becomes a desert.