137 trees saved in Mysore
I thought I’d write this while the euphoria of winning a battle in democratic ways has still not subsided. The issue was about cutting of 137 trees in Lalit Mahal Road in Mysore for easing traffic flow. Many times, such acts just go unnoticed. However, this region being a declared heritage site and one of the most picturesque roads in Mysore had many concerned citizens on its side. A few good government officials too had the good sense of calling a public meeting to discuss the issue. As a result, more than 200 people representing many types of people had gathered. Lawyers, environmentalists, residents of the locality, political parties and even a few goons! After some attempts of issue-hijacking by vested interests and after police intervention, discussions started.
While some were in support of cutting the trees saying that road widening would reduce accidents on the road, others were of the view that many parallel roads existed which could be improved and hence the trees could be saved. Lawyers proved the legal barriers in cutting the trees, residents proved that the problem was not the width of the road but uncontrolled flow of heavy vehicles.
Finally, proper reasoning had more effect than loudness and the government decided that the trees would not be cut.
One of the most beautiful roads in Mysore was saved from becoming a casualty to thoughtless development.
5 Responses to “137 trees saved in Mysore”
June 8th, 2009 saat: 6:58 pm
[...] Today, I was at a public meeting for protecting 137 trees from being cut: http://www.sapgreen.com/2009/137-trees-saved-in-mysore [...]
June 13th, 2009 saat: 10:51 pm
Save 209 trees in Mysore from being axed unnecessarily – Petition
June 13th, 2009 saat: 10:53 pm
Save trees in Mysore from being axed unnecessarily – Petiton
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/save-mysore-trees
June 15th, 2009 saat: 8:47 am
Congratulations Citizens of Mysore.I was really extremely happy at reading about the wonderfully effective manner in which vested interests’ motives were routed, and the common man united, in successfully saving the trees on Lalitha Mahal Road, Mysore.Such unity about our environment is probably only effectively implemented to it’s sucessful end, in smaller cities like Mysore. Citizens of this historic, and architechtically embellished city, enjoy a high degree of cultural appreciation, and are extremely conscious of their responsibility towards saving our environment.
June 15th, 2009 saat: 11:31 pm
this is wonderful!
Mysore citizens really know how to care for their trees. hope it happens to bangalore too! They are similarly planning to cut down the trees on nanda theatre road in south bangalore for the metro…its very sad that although the citizens are working so hard, the felling of trees continues. Hope that never happens again! A pat on the back for the citizens of mysore! 
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