HC Stay on Tree Cutting at BU Bio-Park Ignored for New Development Despite PIL!
HC Stay on Tree Cutting at BU Bio-Park Ignored for New Development Despite PIL!
The Issue
Update: A big blow to the Bio-park of Bangalore University, Jnanabharathi. The PIL admitted & stayed the cutting of trees by Hon'ble HC hasn't cared by new venturing attitude.
I am writing this petition as a concerned citizen of Bengaluru and an advocate for environmental preservation. I strongly object to the permission granted by Greater Bengaluru Authority to remove 132 trees, transplant 54 trees (already cut & PIL filed) and cutting of 352 trees by the Council of Architecture ( CoA) of Jnanabharati Biopark, Bengaluru.
Syndicate Resolution: The BU Syndicate has passed a resolution to cancel the registration to Yogic Sciences, Delhi and desired to declare the Biopark as Heritage Site. It has also reolved to not to lease out the land & protect the Biopark. Unfortunately, since 2020, the resolutions not followed, a blatant loss to not only to University and also for all the Bangaloreans.
This proposal raises serious environmental, legal, and ecological concerns that must be addressed with utmost seriousness and transparency. My objections are detailed below:
Ecological Importance: The trees within the Jnanabharathi campus play a critical role in maintaining the ecological balance, acting as vital carbon sinks and natural air purifiers. These trees form part of the essential green lungs of Bengaluru, a city already facing severe air pollution and declining green cover.
Compliance with Tree Plantation Norms: As per the Karnataka Forest Preservation Act, 1976 and Karnataka Forest Preservation (Trees) Rules, 1977, the responsible authorities may ensure the planting of 10 saplings for every tree removed & Translocation also orders. The new plantation takes 20-30 years to get the canopy to provide Carbon sequestration and Oxygen production. The Bangalore City is already dying for pure air and cannot sustain by this practice. Retaining the Greenscape till the city achieve the earlier glory of garden city with more than 68% of trees. Otherwise it will become a dead city very soon.
Public and Biodiversity Impact: Trees are a natural source of oxygen and are indispensable for sustaining biodiversity, including birds and small wildlife. Cutting down these trees would harm not only the local environment but also the health and well-being of future generations who deserve to inherit a livable and green city.
Groundwater and Climate Resilience: The root systems of these trees significantly contribute to rainwater percolation, thereby supporting groundwater recharge and helping regulate the local microclimate. The Valley zones have been used for the Artificial Recharge & 7 Check dams, Kalyani constructed and proposed additional 15 check dams. Their removal would further worsen Bengaluru’s already fragile water situation and urban heat conditions.
Legal and Land Use Concerns: The land in question is forest land, and to the best of public knowledge, no Gazette Notification has been issued declassifying it. With Bengaluru’s tree cover alarmingly low at around 3%, cutting trees in such a crucial area contradicts the urgent need to conserve our green heritage.
Alternative Options: There.are several underutilized existing buildings we urge that these be repurposed or expanded vertically to accommodate the proposed facilities, thus avoiding destruction of the vital green cover.
The Land leasing Continued: Recently 50 acres to UVCE and 7 acres to NLSIU has been leased by the University. Around 300 acres of additional land for UVCE, autonomous institute is in the pipe line. The Green scape and Water Scape of Jnanabharathi will be lost for ever. Public commenced the signature drive and tweeting for the protection of Biopark and tagging to decision makers in warfooting.
Save the biggest lungspace of Bengaluru!
Saving Biopark is the greatest gift for our children. It is Oxygen Bank, Water Reserve & Geoscience Educational spot. Birds, Butterflies & crores of living organisms beneath soil. Medicinal plants, Charaka-Shushrta vana, Triphala vana. More than anything it is an answer for Carbon sequestration, Global Warming & River Rejuvenation as Microhydroclimatalogical region formed already. Let's save it please. Happy that I could work in Biopark activities with the guidance of Dr. A N Yellappareddy. Biopark is the result of many Philonthropists helping hands.
Government had allotted thousands of acres to Bangalore University with an intention of creating an Educational atmosphere. Exposures of 3200 million year old rocks to recent episodes of Earth history is identified as suggested by the High court of Karnataka.
Academic & Research: PG and Ph.D. Students of different departments are utilising the campus for their field knowledge. Studies of Botanical, Zoological, Geological, Environmental, Hydrological, Microbial Science; Green Economics, Forest produces, Sociological, Rural Development of Arts wing; Commercial & Managerial aspects by Commerce & Management wing, Environmental Law, protection of Natural resources by Law faculties; Physical work are educating about Nature by Education faculty is happening in the campus. Lot of educational orientations creeped into syllabi. Due to public demand, the Government finally swung into action & ordered University to protect crores worth property & declared entire Jnanabharathi as Biopark vide notification during 2017. Unfotunately, it has given permission to many other institutes. Ofcourse, a line of caution, not to disturb the Green is added in the GOs, it is impossible to adhere to this and buidings will crop up. Keeping the city's deteriorating condition in mind, water bodies and diversified plantations were brought and created a Micro Hydroclimatic region. University campus is a house of huge varieties of birds and butterflies. A beautiful fruit garden with 160 varieties and 3000 fruit bearing plants are part of Biopark in the campus. Rare and endangered varieties have been budding with a vision of seed bank and gene bank available in the campus.
It is unfortunate that the vested, unsuitable, self centered, money minded administration has allowed hundreds of acres of encroachment, artificial failure of court cases, spoiling of Environment, concrete jungle creation, cutting valuable trees, dumping city debris & created havoc.
Humbly request Government to not only withdraw the land leased to any organisation as per Government notification in the year 2017 & also issue order for only vertical growth without loosing an inch of lung space for the University purpose only and cancel all the registrations since 2020. This is the only gift to our future generations to come & kindly issue the necessary orders that nobody should dare enough to touch lung spaces. The Jnanabharathi has already contributed towards the valuable gift to children by creating beautiful Environmental & protection of Biopark. The offenders should also be punished with the stringent laws. Let's follow the method of "Housing an University in Diversified Green & amidst Water bodies".
Any amount of money we save or multiply can't fetch as sufficient oxygen required for even a week's survival. And, creating/supplying oxygen to crores of living beings of varied species, according to its respective requirements, all of these, at a time, is beyond what words can explain. Nature and trees are doing it freely for us. We need to be thankful and kind. We have enormously learnt, understood the need and value of oxygen especially during COVID times. Please join hands and sign the petition, share to get more signatures and Save the biggest lungspace of Bengaluru!
In light of the above points, I respectfully urge the Authorities to consider the issue and take back the permission for the felling of trees in Jnanabharathi campus and explore alternative, sustainable development options that do not compromise Bengaluru’s ecological integrity. We request to shift the location to recovered Encroachment area or take up vertical growth on the existing big buildings or use the dilapidatable buildings. Further, new buildings for NLSUI, Architecture Council of India & UVCE & other registered land for other agencies. This will protect one and half lakh trees & other shrubs & herbs. Avoiding a concrete jungle & destroy the Bio-Geo-Hydro park is very essential to Bangalore.
The recent intervention of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the Gachibowli case of Telangana and asking for Replantation in the areas of tree cut has been insisted herewith for the PURE BREATHABLE AIR & PURE DRINKING WATER!
We, as citizens, environmentalists, and guardians of this city’s future, stand united in our objection to this move and request your immediate intervention to safeguard our trees.
18,635
The Issue
Update: A big blow to the Bio-park of Bangalore University, Jnanabharathi. The PIL admitted & stayed the cutting of trees by Hon'ble HC hasn't cared by new venturing attitude.
I am writing this petition as a concerned citizen of Bengaluru and an advocate for environmental preservation. I strongly object to the permission granted by Greater Bengaluru Authority to remove 132 trees, transplant 54 trees (already cut & PIL filed) and cutting of 352 trees by the Council of Architecture ( CoA) of Jnanabharati Biopark, Bengaluru.
Syndicate Resolution: The BU Syndicate has passed a resolution to cancel the registration to Yogic Sciences, Delhi and desired to declare the Biopark as Heritage Site. It has also reolved to not to lease out the land & protect the Biopark. Unfortunately, since 2020, the resolutions not followed, a blatant loss to not only to University and also for all the Bangaloreans.
This proposal raises serious environmental, legal, and ecological concerns that must be addressed with utmost seriousness and transparency. My objections are detailed below:
Ecological Importance: The trees within the Jnanabharathi campus play a critical role in maintaining the ecological balance, acting as vital carbon sinks and natural air purifiers. These trees form part of the essential green lungs of Bengaluru, a city already facing severe air pollution and declining green cover.
Compliance with Tree Plantation Norms: As per the Karnataka Forest Preservation Act, 1976 and Karnataka Forest Preservation (Trees) Rules, 1977, the responsible authorities may ensure the planting of 10 saplings for every tree removed & Translocation also orders. The new plantation takes 20-30 years to get the canopy to provide Carbon sequestration and Oxygen production. The Bangalore City is already dying for pure air and cannot sustain by this practice. Retaining the Greenscape till the city achieve the earlier glory of garden city with more than 68% of trees. Otherwise it will become a dead city very soon.
Public and Biodiversity Impact: Trees are a natural source of oxygen and are indispensable for sustaining biodiversity, including birds and small wildlife. Cutting down these trees would harm not only the local environment but also the health and well-being of future generations who deserve to inherit a livable and green city.
Groundwater and Climate Resilience: The root systems of these trees significantly contribute to rainwater percolation, thereby supporting groundwater recharge and helping regulate the local microclimate. The Valley zones have been used for the Artificial Recharge & 7 Check dams, Kalyani constructed and proposed additional 15 check dams. Their removal would further worsen Bengaluru’s already fragile water situation and urban heat conditions.
Legal and Land Use Concerns: The land in question is forest land, and to the best of public knowledge, no Gazette Notification has been issued declassifying it. With Bengaluru’s tree cover alarmingly low at around 3%, cutting trees in such a crucial area contradicts the urgent need to conserve our green heritage.
Alternative Options: There.are several underutilized existing buildings we urge that these be repurposed or expanded vertically to accommodate the proposed facilities, thus avoiding destruction of the vital green cover.
The Land leasing Continued: Recently 50 acres to UVCE and 7 acres to NLSIU has been leased by the University. Around 300 acres of additional land for UVCE, autonomous institute is in the pipe line. The Green scape and Water Scape of Jnanabharathi will be lost for ever. Public commenced the signature drive and tweeting for the protection of Biopark and tagging to decision makers in warfooting.
Save the biggest lungspace of Bengaluru!
Saving Biopark is the greatest gift for our children. It is Oxygen Bank, Water Reserve & Geoscience Educational spot. Birds, Butterflies & crores of living organisms beneath soil. Medicinal plants, Charaka-Shushrta vana, Triphala vana. More than anything it is an answer for Carbon sequestration, Global Warming & River Rejuvenation as Microhydroclimatalogical region formed already. Let's save it please. Happy that I could work in Biopark activities with the guidance of Dr. A N Yellappareddy. Biopark is the result of many Philonthropists helping hands.
Government had allotted thousands of acres to Bangalore University with an intention of creating an Educational atmosphere. Exposures of 3200 million year old rocks to recent episodes of Earth history is identified as suggested by the High court of Karnataka.
Academic & Research: PG and Ph.D. Students of different departments are utilising the campus for their field knowledge. Studies of Botanical, Zoological, Geological, Environmental, Hydrological, Microbial Science; Green Economics, Forest produces, Sociological, Rural Development of Arts wing; Commercial & Managerial aspects by Commerce & Management wing, Environmental Law, protection of Natural resources by Law faculties; Physical work are educating about Nature by Education faculty is happening in the campus. Lot of educational orientations creeped into syllabi. Due to public demand, the Government finally swung into action & ordered University to protect crores worth property & declared entire Jnanabharathi as Biopark vide notification during 2017. Unfotunately, it has given permission to many other institutes. Ofcourse, a line of caution, not to disturb the Green is added in the GOs, it is impossible to adhere to this and buidings will crop up. Keeping the city's deteriorating condition in mind, water bodies and diversified plantations were brought and created a Micro Hydroclimatic region. University campus is a house of huge varieties of birds and butterflies. A beautiful fruit garden with 160 varieties and 3000 fruit bearing plants are part of Biopark in the campus. Rare and endangered varieties have been budding with a vision of seed bank and gene bank available in the campus.
It is unfortunate that the vested, unsuitable, self centered, money minded administration has allowed hundreds of acres of encroachment, artificial failure of court cases, spoiling of Environment, concrete jungle creation, cutting valuable trees, dumping city debris & created havoc.
Humbly request Government to not only withdraw the land leased to any organisation as per Government notification in the year 2017 & also issue order for only vertical growth without loosing an inch of lung space for the University purpose only and cancel all the registrations since 2020. This is the only gift to our future generations to come & kindly issue the necessary orders that nobody should dare enough to touch lung spaces. The Jnanabharathi has already contributed towards the valuable gift to children by creating beautiful Environmental & protection of Biopark. The offenders should also be punished with the stringent laws. Let's follow the method of "Housing an University in Diversified Green & amidst Water bodies".
Any amount of money we save or multiply can't fetch as sufficient oxygen required for even a week's survival. And, creating/supplying oxygen to crores of living beings of varied species, according to its respective requirements, all of these, at a time, is beyond what words can explain. Nature and trees are doing it freely for us. We need to be thankful and kind. We have enormously learnt, understood the need and value of oxygen especially during COVID times. Please join hands and sign the petition, share to get more signatures and Save the biggest lungspace of Bengaluru!
In light of the above points, I respectfully urge the Authorities to consider the issue and take back the permission for the felling of trees in Jnanabharathi campus and explore alternative, sustainable development options that do not compromise Bengaluru’s ecological integrity. We request to shift the location to recovered Encroachment area or take up vertical growth on the existing big buildings or use the dilapidatable buildings. Further, new buildings for NLSUI, Architecture Council of India & UVCE & other registered land for other agencies. This will protect one and half lakh trees & other shrubs & herbs. Avoiding a concrete jungle & destroy the Bio-Geo-Hydro park is very essential to Bangalore.
The recent intervention of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the Gachibowli case of Telangana and asking for Replantation in the areas of tree cut has been insisted herewith for the PURE BREATHABLE AIR & PURE DRINKING WATER!
We, as citizens, environmentalists, and guardians of this city’s future, stand united in our objection to this move and request your immediate intervention to safeguard our trees.
18,635
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Petition created on 11 September 2020