The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Citizens protest to save Lalbagh

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Saturday, Apr 18, 2009
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Citizens protest to save Lalbagh

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: “We love trees and that’s why we are here,” septuagenarian V. Rama Subban said even as his wife Hema held a placard condemning the tree-felling inside Lalbagh Botanical Gardens to pave the way for the Namma Metro project, on Friday.

The couple formed part of the candlelight protest on R.V. Road section made up of over 200 people, including environmental activists, children, concerned citizens and residents. “Though we are not regulars to Lalbagh, we have come here to register our protest against tree-felling and loss of tree cover in the city,” Mr. Rama Subban said. His wife, Hema, asked: “Why can’t Metro go underground to save the trees?”

The gathering formed a human chain and sang songs. The protesters held placards to voice their concern. They also shouted slogans demanding that the authorities preserve the heritage and nature of the city. “Bangalore should be retained as a garden city, Hasiru is Usiru,” said Srilakshmi, an architect. “Imagine if such things happened all around the city, then we would live in a concrete jungle,” said Sanjay, a resident.

The Environment Support Group (ESG), in association with Hasiru Usiru, organised the protest against illegal pruning of trees by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) along the Nanda Theatre Road and the demolition of 500 feet of Lalbagh’s west gate wall.

“The objective is to save Lalbagh and Nanda Road, for which other place in India has 2.2 km of tree canopy along boulevards on either side,” said Vinay from Hasiru Usiru.