Greater Bengaluru Authority receives over 1,500 objections to tree felling for Hebbal Short Tunnel

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has received more than 1,500 objections against the felling of 1,128 trees for the Hebbal Short Tunnel Project, even as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) restrained the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) from felling any trees till the hearing in the case challenging tree felling for the project is completed.

The GBA had invited objections to the proposed tree felling on September 20, giving a 10-day deadline. However, the authority did not upload the list of tree species, prompting activists to demand an extension.

According to GBA sources, they got over 700 objections during the first window, with the remaining objections coming in before the final deadline.

The officer told The Hindu that the major objections concerned species diversity and the sheer number of trees proposed to be felled. “Many objections are very detailed and include a list of species to highlight biodiversity. Many have also pointed out one aspect, like microclimate, and elaborated on the impact of cutting trees for that aspect,” the officer said.

Biodiversity loss and more

According to the officer, several objections also concern the size of certain trees, based on independent assessments by those who submitted them. Other objections highlight the potential impact on other species, hydrological concerns owing to the alignment’s proximity to Hebbal Lake, and the risk of the area turning into a heat island, as it serves as a key lung space.

The officer said the objections were being filtered and grouped under different themes. “We will send all the objections and concerns raised by citizens to the tree expert committee and the implementing agency, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).

“The BDA will also review the objections and explain why the trees need to be felled. A joint inspection of the site will also be conducted by the tree expert committee members and the BDA to review the proposal,” he said.

Meanwhile, due to an NGT stay order the BDA cannot fell any trees until December 15, the next date of hearing. Further action can be taken only after the hearing and in accordance with its outcome.

Tree committee to decide

Recently, during an interaction with The Hindu, BDA Chairperson N.A. Haris had said that only 56 trees would be felled and the remaining trees would be translocated. However, the GBA officer clarified that any decision regarding the trees would have to be taken by the tree expert committee.

“Irrespective of whether the trees are translocated or felled, the BDA will have to plant 10 trees for every tree cleared,” the GBA official said.