Mysuru: Environmental activists Monday urged forest department and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to disclose detailed plans for the proposed transplantation of 278 trees for the flyover project at Manipal Hospital Junction.At a meeting organised by Parisarakkaagi Naavu at the project site, environmentalists, local residents and experts sought information on where the trees would be replanted, the preparations made for the transplantation and who would be responsible for ensuring their survival.Speaking at the meeting, environmental activist Ravi Bale said the authorities did not disclose the proposed transplantation sites or the scientific measures planned for the exercise. “Tree transplantation is a complex process requiring extensive preparation and scientific methods,” he said, urging the authorities to place all relevant details in the public domain.Environmental activist Mansoor Ahmed called for a joint meeting of forest department and NHAI with experts, residents and environmental groups to discuss both the transplantation of 278 trees and the proposed planting of 1,000 saplings. He also sought a detailed written plan on the transplantation and compensatory afforestation programme and urged the local MLA to facilitate the meeting.Maulana Siddiqui, a teacher at Siddiqui Nagar madrassa, said indiscriminate tree felling would increase air pollution and dust, adversely affecting public health. He extended the madrassa’s full support to efforts to protect the trees.Water expert UN Ravikumar said modern technology made it possible to design infrastructure projects while preserving mature trees. He warned that continued tree felling in the name of development would intensify Mysuru’s urban heat island effect and reduce groundwater recharge due to increasing concretisation.The meeting unanimously resolved to write to the Mysuru MP, the NR Constituency MLA, forest department and NHAI, urging them to convene an immediate consultation with experts, local residents and environmental activists on the proposed tree transplantation and the planting of 1,000 saplings.The programme concluded with environmental songs by theatre artistes Chakrapani and Salma. Among those present were retired major general Sudhir Vombatkere, heritage expert NS Rangaraju, social activist K Kalachannegowda, Parashuramegowda and others.
