Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike has got only Rs. 60.69 lakh by auctioning 8,144 trees that it felled in the past five years. This translates to barely Rs. 760 per tree. Environmental activists alleged that ‘timber mafia’ encourages felling of trees under the pretext of ‘development works’, and then bids low on it.
Brijesh Mishra, Chief Conservator of Forests (ICT), believes that the timber mafia thrived under tree officers that came from within the BBMP. “Under BBMP, it was conducive for the growth of the timber mafia as the local councillor had a final say in the cutting of trees. Mafia could survive as there were trees to be cut.” He added that if authority to take decisions with regard to felling of trees is transferred from BBMP Forest Cell to the Forest Department, timber mafia can be curbed.
On the low prices, he said, the wood of trees is typically suitable to be used as firewood and not hardwood or timber that can fetch a high price.
Even if only softwood is sold, the amount obtained by BBMP is too low, perhaps, even lower than the cost to cut a tree in the city, said A.N. Yellappa Reddy, former Forest Department official. “Very few timber operators bid, and they form a ring that deliberately bids low,” he added.
Vinay Sreenivas of Hasiru Usiru said the “irrational” cutting of trees by BBMP had led to an atmosphere where timber could be bought for cheap by contractors.
Similarly, Kathyayini Chamraj, Managing Trustee, CIVIC, an NGO, said: “There is neither a proper regulatory body nor is there a strong appellate authority when BBMP officials grant permission to needlessly cut trees”.
