The axing of trees in the name of Development continues in Bengaluru.7,000 trees in Ramanagara are facing the threat for the development of Harohalli III phase industrial area. Proposed “exclusive all-woman entrepreneur technology park” is expected to come up in this area.
Is development boon or bane to mankind? We don’t have an answer for that, but definitely, it is a bane when it comes to the citizens of Bengaluru. The axing of trees in the name of Development continues in Bengaluru. As reported by Times of India, Adding to this saga, more than 7,000 trees in Ramanagara are facing the threat for the development of Harohalli III phase industrial area. Proposed “exclusive all-woman entrepreneur technology park” is expected to come up in this area.
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| Pic : Internet |
The KIADB in March had sought environmental clearance from the ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) for their combined Harohalli phase II & Phase III industrial area project. The report states “The land for phase II and III has just been identified; it is yet to be acquired by the KIADB. The areas are not demarcated at the ground level. At present, we can only tell about which tree species are going to be axed and the approximate number. The numbers are bound to vary depending on the final plans,"
According to EIA report, as many as 11 species, totaling 7,650 trees, are in the death list. The species include mahogany, teak, Indian elm, and neem. The proposed site for phase III of the industrial area is located close to six forest reserves in the buffer zone. The endemic and threatened plants include Mysore sandalwood (Santalum album) and Broadleaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla).
KIADB managing director Pankaj Kumar Pandey told TOI that the board will try to save as many trees as possible. "We have developed a full-scale project to increase the green cover. We have increased the buffer zone, and will add more greenery. Every district administration, which has a social forestry wing, has been asked to conduct an audit and plant trees wherever possible to compensate the loss of tree cover. The funds for planting and maintenance for up to three years will be provided by the KIADB," Pandey said.
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