Sir, While it is needed to widen roads when traffic increases and there are no economic ways of reducing such traffic, it may force us to fell trees. However even when we need to widen roads and fell trees, it is often found that authorities do not apply their minds to save them. However, it is a reality based on my experience of participating in many such public hearings. Has a proper study been done to assess the real need for widening the roads on Mysuru-Bengaluru National Highway 275? Can we take a look at it to study the assumptions? If it is really required, are there alternatives to widening the roads? Studies have showed that the worth of an average tree is about Rs. 50 lakh. On that estimate, by felling 209 trees we are destroying almost Rs. 100 crore worth of national wealth. The fact that for every tree felled three or more trees will be planted will not justify destroying such wealth, if we cannot justify the savings of widening the roads. Has any study been done to find out the savings to the society by widening? If no study has been done, can we do it before permission is given to fell those trees? In short, we need far more information than what is provided so far. Hope the Forest Department will not give permission until they can get the information which I am suggesting.
- Dr. Bhamy V. Shenoy, Member, MGP, Mysuru, 7.7.2018
