Forest Minister urges amendment of Karnataka Tree Protection Act of 1976 to implement stronger conservation measures

NGOs have urged the state government to amend the Tree Protection Act in Karnataka to prevent the raging tree cuts that Lulu has witnessed recently in Mysuru. |Photo source: Ma Sriram

City-based activists and NGOs urged the state government to amend the Karnataka Tree Protection Act 1976 to strengthen tree protection.

This is due to the recent cut of 40 trees on Hyder Ali Road, which has sparked public anger at the forest department.

In a letter to Eshwar Khandre, Minister of Forests, Ecology and Environment, Mysore Grahakara Diocese and the Civil Liberties Union underlined the urgency of the bill, which focused on trees cut down by private citizens on private lands.

MGP Working President S. Shobana and Pucl President Kamal Gopinath said trees on public land and government departments entrusted to their preservation must fall under the authority of the bill. MGP and PUCL said this will help address the responsibilities of government departments to ensure unreasonable tree cutting. “The amendment to the bill should be carried out in a sometimes-in-time manner when consulted with experts attracted by civil society,” the pair added.

The letter said it is necessary to focus strongly on increasing tree cover in cities rather than rampant deforestation has become the norm. “How can we advise our children to protect trees, forests and wildlife to destroy them when the so-called official guardians of these precious assets are unforgivable to destroy them, and point out that trees, forests and wildlife are national treasures that belong to all.

Ms. Shobana and Mr. Gopinath said that although Article 51 (a) of the Constitution makes each citizen’s basic obligation to protect and improve the natural environment, Article 48A assumes the same responsibility.

The two organizations have attracted attention to the deforestation of 40 trees, an incident that shows the situation of government officials not only completely inconsistent with the people’s emotions, but also lacks basic ecological sensitivity.

MGP and PUCL appreciated Mr. Khandre’s decision to form a committee and submit a report within 7 days and drew the attention of the minister, which stated that 175 trees in Dattagalli and 125 trees along Mananthavadi Road have been designated as cut down. It called on ministers to intervene in a careful assessment of the project and a review of other feasible options. “No matter how much saplings are compensated, trees that cannot be replaced are irreplaceable,” the organizations said.

MGP and PUCL said they do not object to development, but strongly agree that it should live in harmony with the environment and the environment that protects nature.