At least 78 people have signed an online petition (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-the-last-boulevard-of-mangalore/signatures) in support of saving the trees on Kankanady-Morgan’s Gate Road here.
Called “Save the last boulevard of Mangalore”, many of those who have signed it have left a comment. Trupti Gadre has said the current road is wide enough to accommodate heavy traffic while Harshith B Shetty has requested the authorities to widen the road without harming the trees. Rita Pinto has chastised J.R. Lobo, MLA, Mangalore City South, to read class 5 textbook where they say trees inhale carbon dioxide and give out oxygen, allowing people to breathe.
The petition has been set up by Roy Fernandes, a young design engineer working in Bangalore. He is confident more people will sign because everyone who he spoke to about the issue was in favour of retaining the trees. Mr. Fernandes, who lives in Valencia, is “definitely” looking forward to more signatures but said “it is up to the people”.
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The boulevard is characterised by trees lining the alternate sides of the road in stretches. For example, trees dot Father Muller Hospital side of the Kankanady-Morgan’s Gate Road with a stretch near Roshni Nilaya being an exception.
Meanwhile, members of the Citizens Forum for Mangalore Development, who had opposed the felling of the trees at a meeting held by Mr. Lobo on Tuesday, have written a letter to the Superintending Engineer of Mangalore City Corporation (MCC).
The letter has asked him to inform the members whenever the first meeting on the issue is convened. Vidya Dinker, president of the forum, said, “We will wait until Tuesday. If there is no response, we will call up the Superintending Engineer to enquire when the meeting will be held.”
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