Mangaluru
Environmental activists in Mangaluru staged a protest against the felling of trees along NH 66 for the construction of flyovers at Nanthoor and KPT junctions. The protesters were successful in stopping the tree felling and even garlanded the trees that had been cut down, wrapping them in white cloth. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had sought permission from the forest department to clear 602 trees along the stretch. Of these, 370 small trees were supposed to be relocated, while 232 trees were to be cut down. However, activists claim that the entire report on the number of trees to be axed is inaccurate. They expressed concerns about the project’s impact on the environment and the local population, comparing it to the controversial Pumpwell flyover. Activists criticized the NHAI for not consulting with environmentalists and for starting to cut small trees without relocating them properly, especially given that it’s not the right season for such tree relocation. The protest led to the intervention of the deputy commissioner, which resulted in NHAI officials halting the tree felling activity.
