Environmental activists and residents gathered for a meeting convened by Parisarakkagi Naavu in the city on Sunday to discuss strategies for protection of the estimated 350 trees proposed to be felled during the construction of a flyover near Manipal Hospital junction in Mysuru.

They conducted an inspection and later held discussions to prevent the cutting down of the trees for the flyover project.

After detailed deliberations in the matter, the meeting resolved to urge the departments concerned to provide them with a copy of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), which will be discussed in detail with environmental experts and environmental organisations, said general secretary of Parisarakkagi Naavu Parashurame Gowda.

Mr. Gowda pointed out that their organisation was not opposed to the construction of the flyover. But, cutting 350 trees for the project is not acceptable, he said.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) leader Badagalapura Nagendra, who also participated in the meeting, expressed concern over the reckless growth of the cities and extended the farmers’ organisation’s support to struggles aimed at protecting the environment.

Earlier, addressing the gathering, environmental activist Maj Gen (retired) S.G. Vombatkere said the reason Mysuru has wide roads lined with greenery on both sides is because of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar’s foresight and planning.

“He wanted citizens to understand that trees are a natural resource, and therefore one of the major objectives of the CITB formed in 1903 was the development of tree-lined roads. Later, D. Devaraj Urs implemented the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act in 1976,” he said, adding that one of the main objectives of the Act was to restrict and regulate the cutting of trees, which help moderate climate severity, purify polluted air, reduce noise, provide shade, and enhance beauty.

Meanwhile, PUCL member Mansoor Ahmed said there was a need to grow more trees in S.S. Nagar and Siddiqui Nagar to reduce the air pollution caused by increasing vehicular traffic in the area.

Meanwhile, Sarah Mishra of Reap Benefit said the authorities should elicit the opinion of citizens before implementing any project while pointing out that the damage caused by cutting down 350 trees cannot be compensated merely by planting saplings or transplanting the trees.

Meanwhile, president of the Citizens Forum of Siddiqnagar Nabijan pointed out that any move to cut the trees in the area would add to the already existing problems in the bustling locality.

Advocate Mannan Khan, who participated in the meeting, pointed out that sustainable development is the “only answer”.  “We want modern infrastructure to blend with old heritage,” he said.

While environmental activist Bhanu Mohan called upon the youth to take responsibility for environmental conservation, Kalachanne Gowda expressed optimism that the trees here too could be saved if people unite and protest. He said that road-widening projects in Mysuru had previously been carried out while preserving trees in several places.

Environmental activist Sanjay Dattatri expressed concern that Mysuru is becoming another Bengaluru or Chennai.