As a resident of Bangalore, I watch helplessly as our city's greenery is rapidly replaced with concrete structures. No place is more symbolic of this decline than the Cantonment Railway Station, a landmark carrying deep roots in the heart and history of this city. However, our beloved railway station is under threat. An autocratic decision has been made to cut down 368 mature trees on this heritage railway land to facilitate a commercial project. Baghmane Builders will lease 54 floors of prime real estate from Railways for a tech park. Land area: 8.6 acres. Total built-up area: 3.2 million sq. ft.  3 towers: each with 3B+G+17F. 

Ignorance and misguided priorities saw us lose the signature arched platform at the Railway Station. This cannot be our fate yet again. Our desire for economic progress should not blind us to the ongoing environmental erosion. Bangalore's citizens not only admire the aesthetic value of these beautiful trees but also understand their importance in our fight against increasing pollution levels. According to the Indian State of Forest Report (2019), Bangalore has lost 88.96 sq km of its green cover in the past decade.

The errant free reign of these development projects must be checked. Railways want to take full control, utterly disregarding Bangalore's desperate need for greenery and the citizens' pleas for sustainable development. We cannot stand by as more ecological butchery happens before our eyes.

Join us in urging the authorities to reconsider this decision. Make them aware of the significance of these trees to Cantonment Railway Station, its heritage, and the people of Bangalore. We need solutions that respect both our environment and our cultural heritage. Sign the petition and add your voice to save our trees and protect the Cantonment Railway Station's legacy. Let's defend the greenery of Bangalore together.

 

Useful Links : 

• list of trees for cutting/translocation https://site.bbmp.gov.in/departmentwebsites/Forest%20Department/forest/OM%20of%20cantonmet.pdf
• https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/story/india%2Fkarnataka%2Fbengaluru%2Fsouth-western-railway-likely-to-remove-385-trees-to-develop-bengaluru-cantonment-station-1150601.html
• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/activists-oppose-cutting-368-trees-for-cantonment-railway-project-in-bengaluru/amp_articleshow/120674917.cms
• https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/residents-oppose-felling-of-368-trees-for-commercial-project-at-cantonment-railway-colony/article69497773.ece/amp/