Environmentalists protest tree felling on Hyder Ali Road in Mysuru

Mysuru: Environmentalists protested against the felling of 40 trees along a stretch of Hyder Ali Road, on Tuesday, and alleged that the forest department failed to fulfil their duty.
Members of the Gandhadagudi Foundation gathered at SP Office Circle in the city, and expressed their anger against the forest department, which is supposed to protect trees.
It may take another 40 to 50 years for the same species of trees to grow. The 40 trees that were uprooted provided shade to lakhs of people. There was no need to widen the roads, alleged protesters.
Former mayor Sandesh Swamy, who participated in the protest, questioned the purpose behind road widening. "This act was done without any public consultation. The trees were auctioned for a throwaway rate," he alleged.
This road widening has been proposed at an estimated cost of Rs 4 crore. Locals are struggling even for drinking water. No one knows why this road widening was proposed and who will be the beneficiaries, he said.
The protest was attended by Gandhadagudi Foundation state president Anrun Gandhadagudi and others.