Environmentalists and activists questioning the Forest Department over its non-compliance with rules governing the conduct of the public hearing on tree felling, near Nanjangud on December 10.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A public hearing conducted at Sindhuvalli to elicit objections and views of stakeholders on the proposed widening of a stretch of NH 766 in Nanjangud taluk was cancelled following objections by environmentalists on December 10.
The road widening near Muddanahalli in Nanjangud taluk entailed the felling of 98 trees and hence, a public hearing was conducted by the Forest Department.
However, environmentalists found faults with the procedures and pointed out that as per the law, sufficient time should be given to the public to file objections if any.
Parashurame Gowda, State general secretary of Parisarakke Navu, said that the newspaper notification for tree felling and invitation for public objections was published on December 8. So, the public hearing being conducted on December 10 was questionable, he said, adding that at least 10 days’ time should be given after publishing the notice. Mr. Gowda sought the cancellation of the hearing.
Echoing his views, Mallahalli Narayana, district convenor of the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS), said that the local community in the surrounding areas was not even aware of the hearing and hence questioned its legality. The role of the Forest Department officials is to protect trees and safeguard the environment, and not permit tree felling, he added.
The Farmers’ Association, DSS, and the Jan Sangrama Parishat participated.
Another activist, Banu Prashanth of Parisarakke Navu, took exception to the presence of junior officials from the National Highways Authority of India and wanted the project engineer or manager to be present.
The Forest Department was also accused by the environmentalists of conducting the public hearing as a mere formality.
Satish, representing the local farmers, demanded that the meeting be cancelled and a fresh date be announced in accordance with the rules.
Those present at the hearing raised slogans, following which forest officials announced the cancellation of the public hearing and assured that a fresh date would be announced in due course.
Published – December 10, 2025 07:16 pm IST
