Shivamogga citizens protest felling of 30 trees at Science Field

A federation of citizens' welfare groups in Shivamogga has accused authorities of cutting down around 30 trees at Science Field without following due process. Members of the Shivamogga Nagarika Hitarakshana Vedikegala Okkoota staged a protest at the site on Saturday.

The trees are believed to have been removed to make way for a building for a Karnataka Public School. The foundation stone for the project was recently laid by School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa and other local elected representatives.

Protesters questioned whether valid permission was obtained from the Forest Department before the felling. They also pointed out that no public consultation was held, especially since the area falls under the city's Green Zone.

The federation has submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner demanding protection of the Green Zone, a suitable alternative arrangement to compensate for the environmental loss, and registration of a criminal case against those responsible for the alleged illegal felling.

K.V. Vasanth Kumar, general secretary of the federation, and A. Sathish Kumar Shetty, organising secretary, were among those who took part in the protest.