NGT halts tree felling for Hebbal Short Tunnel Project

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday issued an order restraining the felling of trees for the Hebbal Short Tunnel Project until the hearing is completed and the matter is disposed of.

The NGT order states: “There should not be any cutting of trees, be it in any area of the Hebbal Short Tunnel Project till the matter is disposed of.”

The tribunal has scheduled the next hearing for December 15. This also means that the BDA cannot cut any trees along the Hebbal Short Tunnel alignment till mid-December.

The order followed a petition filed by a civic group, subsequent to the NGT taking suo motu cognisance of The Hindu’s report on the Bangalore Development Authority’s (BDA) proposal to remove trees for the Hebbal Short Tunnel Project. The report, dated September 24, was titled “Over 70 tree species among 1,128 marked for felling for Hebbal tunnel project in Bengaluru”.

In the suo motu case, the Karnataka government submitted a representation stating that writ petitions concerning the matter were pending before the High Court, where the Advocate-General had given an undertaking that no trees would be cut until the matter was disposed of. Subsequently, the NGT disposed of the original suo motu case.

However, Aranya, Parisara Mathu Havamana Badalavane, Sangha, Mangaluru, noticed a discrepancy and filed another application seeking a restraining order. The group brought to the NGT’s notice that the undertaking given by the Advocate-General before the Karnataka High Court, as stated during the suo motu hearing, pertained to a different area — Lalbagh — though it was for the same project.

“This original application, in general, covers the entire project and felling of trees for the same,” the NGT order said. Counsel representing the government also clarified that the undertaking pertained to a different area.

Subsequently, the NGT passed the Friday order.

Meanwhile, BDA Chairman N. A. Haris, in a conversation with The Hindu, said that the BDA does not intend to fell all 1,128 trees but instead plans to translocate 1,072 trees and axe the remaining ones. However, the public notice issued by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) refers to the “removal” of trees along Hebbal Main Road for the 2.3-km twin tunnel project.

On the other hand, civic groups opposing the short tunnel project argue that the BDA cannot announce such a decision, as it can be taken only by the Tree Expert Committee.