CM VISIT: COORG DC ASKS FOR PRUNING TREES. BUT TIMBER LOBBY AXES TREES

By P.T. Bopanna

Taking advantage of an order passed by Kodagu deputy commissioner P.I. Sreevidya, to prune dangerous trees in the route to be taken by chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy during his Kodagu visit, the notorious Kerala timber lobby brought down 100 first-generation trees in a single day.  

Sreevidya (in picture), though hailing from Kerala, is apparently not aware of the notoriety of the Kerala timber lobby waiting for an opportunity to axe trees.

The deputy commissioner had only directed officials to prune tree branches in Madikeri, Bhagamandala, Talacauvery, Guddehosur and Harangi, the route to be taken by the chief minister on his two-day visit from July 19.

Reports said the orders were issued on Tuesday morning and by evening, the administration brought down around 100 first-generation trees. This was done without consulting the forest department.

 A forest official was quoted saying: “We were not consulted and no survey was done to identify dangerous trees.”

Many trees were cut along Bhagamandala and Talacauvery stretch. Trees were felled on Boikeri-Madikeri stretch.

Instead of pruning trees, the priority of the district administration should be to remove fallen trees due to monsoon, especially around Madikeri which has disrupted power supply to the town.