Heritage trees felled in Chikkamagaluru as activists allege rule violations

…hectare of forest land, just a249 sqm shy of 1 hectare allegedly to bypass scrutiny and avoid providing compensatory non-forest land. .Karnataka: Heavy rain, gusty winds cause widespread damage to power grids, trees." About 50 trees, some aged over 100 years, have been felled near Shiragunda and Mattavara. As per the Tree Preservation Act, a public hearing should have been held before proceeding with the largescale destruction. However, we are not aware of a hearing being conducted by the Forest Department ," wildlife conservationist Veeresh G said. He said the work has been taken up in violation of the Green Highway Policy, which mandates that trees on the road side should be translocated. He added that the forest…

…should have taken measures to save the heritage trees. To a question, K T Boraiah, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Chikkamagaluru division, said public notice has been issued through the public information department. " We have sought objections from the public in July and August. It was published in seven or eight newspapers. No objection was received in response ," he said. .'Inflow into our reservoirs has stopped': CM says Karnataka to appeal against release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.The state government noted that deputy conservator of forests, Chikkamagaluru division,…