Hebbal short tunnel project: GBA gets over 1,500 objections to felling 1,128 trees

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has received more than 1,500 objections to the proposed felling of 1,128 trees for the Hebbal Short Tunnel Project. Meanwhile, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has restrained the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) from felling any trees until the hearing in the case challenging the tree felling is completed.The GBA had invited objections on September 20, setting a 10-day deadline. However, the authority did not upload the list of tree species proposed to be felled, prompting activists to demand an extension. According to The Hindu, the authority received more than 700 objections during the initial period, with the remaining submissions arriving before the deadline.The report further stated that the objections primarily raised concerns about the loss of biodiversity and the large number of trees proposed to be felled.Several objections have also questioned the size of trees marked for felling, citing independent assessments by those who submitted the objections. Others have raised concerns about the impact on wildlife, hydrological issues arising from the project’s proximity to Hebbal Lake, and the risk of the area turning into a heat island.The objections were being collated and categorised by theme before being forwarded to the tree expert committee and the BDA, which is implementing the project.The BDA will also review the objections and explain why the trees need to be felled. The NGT’s interim order bars the BDA from felling trees until the next hearing on December 15. Further action will depend on the proceedings and the tribunal’s directions.