TREE TRANSPLANTING NOT FEASIBLE

Transplanting trees has been suggested as a possible solution to felling trees (SOM dated June 23). It may be feasible in other areas or in other countries like the US. But transplanting trees on Lalitha Mahal road is only detrimental to the delicate ecological balance found there. The trees surrounding Karanji Lake is home to thousands of migratory birds which visit the area during different seasons for breeding. This area provides an optimum atmosphere for those birds which cannot sur- vive in the drastic conditions of their home land. They travel thousands of miles just to breed or escape from severe cold or heat of their native place. If we uproot the trees, they will have nowhere to go as they do not move with the transplanted trees. We humans may build roads anywhere but the rare birds cannot transfer their homes for our sake, they are highly specific in their behaviour.

This is my letter published in Star of Mysore dated 25.6.2009 in Voice of the Reader column.

TREE-FELLING IS NO SOLUTION TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION

Sir,

I have been reading many write-ups for and against the felling of 123 trees on Lalitha Mahal Road and Race Course Road in Mysore. Some citizens and the administration say it is for widening the road to ease the traffic on the stretch. The solution to traffic congestion is not cutting trees, but lessening the use of private vehicles.

Now the road may be widened by cutting down a few trees, but after a few years that widened road will again be congested with traffic. Cutting the trees is only a temporary solution, also one with large-scale environmental effects. We see cutting of trees as bad because we are taught that trees provide oxygen, maintain a clean atmosphere, provide greenery and are the homes to birds. Our arguments are mainly based on these points.

Some of us support cutting the trees in the name of development. But development cannot and should not be seen in terms of wide roads, more buildings, more facilities for humans like regular water, power supply and a good administration. It is thinking of development in terms of human benefits. It will be a true development if it is sustainable, where upto the tiniest of insects, all living beings co-exist. If it dosen't, ultimately, we are the ones to be affected badly.

I would like to cite an example here. Fig trees are abundant in our State. A small insect enters the fig fruit, pollinates there, multiplies and reproduces inside the fruit. This is the way the fig tree multiplies in number. If fig trees are cut, then the fig wasps will be extinct, the fruit bats and birds will decrease in number. Because animals cannot change their habitats and food like us humans. They are highly specific.

When a species becomes extinct, other animals dependent on them disappear. All these processes take many years and hence may not be taken seriously by those in charge of taking decisions.

When trees are cut, we can see only the superficial facts associated with them, not the unseen consequences. We do not care much about our own tomorrows, then how can we care for the tomorrows of our children and other living beings?

I request the authorities to please think twice before cutting any tree, doesn't matter how old, because old trees too sustain ecological balance till they die.

---Shwetha

This is my letter published in Star Of Mysore dated 05.06.2009