Metro Rail - The Killers

During my NGO days, there was one thing which I questioned in all my discussions, be it on the stage or off the stage. What is the definition of development? If we destroy something that is natural and create something on our own, is that development? If we feel that we have taken control of nature by creating clones of animals, hybrid seeds, that is development? If we just remove the habitat and create a super structure like ports, harbors, hotels, resorts, factories, mines, is that a development? So far, I have not got a convincing answer. But heart of heart, I know that all these are not development, but destructions.

One more to add to the list is the Metro in Bangalore. Metro has decided to cut few of the Eucalyptus trees in Lalbagh. By the way, is this a development? More specifically, is it a people-focussed development? Development for whom? What the hell the metro rail team who are planning to kill the trees are thinking of themselves, they are god-send from heaven? They are giving a reason that they are cutting Eucalyptus tree and not any other tree. What sort of a justification is that. Already, the metro has eaten up lot of trees across Bangalore. If you want to see the impact, come to Vijayanagar. Me, having lived in that area for 25 years, know how Vijayanagar was and how it is now. What kind of bullshit planning near lalbagh they are having which has zig-zag alignment with four 90 degree turns in the 4 kilometre stretch which is the most disastrous design. what the hell Government is doing? Is there a clear agreement between Metro Rail and Goverment of Karnataka?

Yes. It is true that the Eucalyptus trees could be cut without the permission from the Tree Officer as per Karnataka Preservation of Tree Act. If this is the argument, they are putting across, fellows, please note that this applicable for those eucalyptus trees which are there outside the protected areas like Lalbagh which legally has the status of a national park. Now, the trees which are targeted for killing are inside the lalbagh are within the protected area. So, why are the goverment machinaries violating the law made by the govement? Is the law applicable only for the common people like you and me? Why are we so silent on all these? Is this the responsibility of only some groups like Hasiru-Usiru? When are we going to be awake?

Let us protest on this. Do log in to http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savelalbaghfrommetro/index.html
Sign the petition and express your solidarity for this. SAVE THE EARTH. SAVE BANGALORE. SAVE LALBAGH