Environmentalists criticise Rai’s statement over tree-felling issue

Environmental activists have questioned Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment B. Ramanath Rai’s statement accusing the former of playing politics in opposing felling of 502 trees in Padil.

In his speech at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s programme to inaugurate development programmes in Belthangady on Sunday, Mr. Rai said some green activists, who were opposed to development of the region, approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) with political motive to stop felling of trees for construction of Deputy Commissioner’s new office complex in Padil. The activists succeeded in getting a stay. As the stay has now been vacated, Mr. Rai said the State government will go ahead with construction of the new office. The government has earmarked ₹ 41 crore for this work, he said.

Questioning Mr. Rai, Suma Nayak, an activist, who is the petitioner before the NGT, said she and other activists were fighting for saving the city’s greenery. “I fought for saving trees in Mannagudde, Karangalpady, and Valencia. And now its Padil. Our only motive is to retain greenery of this city and there is no politics,” she said and added, “It’s not unusual to see Mr. Rai making allegations as elections are nearing.”

Another activist Dinesh Holla said the comment by Mr. Rai showed lack of seriousness of the Minister in saving trees and protecting environment.

He accused Mr. Rai of playing politics by sending some of the Congress councillors to create ruckus in the public hearing done by the Forest Department on January 4 to collect opinion of people over felling of trees.

Background

Ms. Nayak had field petition before the NGT in April 2016 questioning the order handing over 5.89 acres of land of State Forest Industries’ Corporation to the Revenue Department for construction of the office of Deputy Commissioner. After ordering a stay, the NGT sought a report from expert committee of the nature of land and the number of trees in it. The expert committee submitted a report stating about presence of 666 trees in the area.

The NGT dismissed Ms. Nayak’s petition as she failed to appear before the court on December 20. This led the district administration file a petition before Deputy Conservator of Forests seeking permission to cut trees.

Meanwhile, Ms. Nayak has filed a miscellaneous application against the order dismissing her petition, which is slated to come up for hearing on January 22.