Activists Demand Answers on Mysuru Railway Tree Cuts

Members of Parisarakkagi Naavu protested the recent felling of mature trees along railway tracks adjacent to Kukkarahalli Lake. The environmental group met with the Divisional Railway Manager on Thursday, seeking detailed justification for the tree removal. They expressed concern over the loss of tree cover in the green corridor, citing climate change and urban heat stress.

While acknowledging railway safety needs, the organisation insisted on transparent vegetation management based on scientific assessment. They requested copies of all approvals, inspection reports, and risk assessments authorizing the felling, along with details of recommending officials and the technical criteria used. Information on permissions from the Forest Department and compensatory afforestation plans was also sought.

The group urged the Railways to adopt a policy prioritizing pruning over removal and to ensure all tree management is supervised by trained personnel. They stated that railway safety and environmental conservation are achievable simultaneously through careful planning and adherence to best practices, advocating for public access to relevant records.