Activists rally to save 368 trees in Bengaluru’s cantonment railway colony | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: Around 40 environmentalists from across the city gathered at Gandhi Bazaar Thursday to protest against the proposed felling of 368 trees in the Cantonment Railway Colony.Members from several citizen and environmental groups like Parisarakagi Navu, Namma Bengaluru Foundation, United Conservation, and Vruksha Foundation met ahead of the public consultation set for May 20.They later visited the site, assessed its ecological value, and highlighted that there are over 60 heritage trees in the colony. Participants hugged the trees and raised slogans like “Save Trees, Save Bengaluru,” stressing on the urgency of preserving the city’s remaining green cover.Vinod Jacob of Namma Bengaluru Foundation said, “We urged authorities to reconsider the project. This is the last green pocket in the heart of the city. Like Devanahalli’s Terminal 2, this can be turned into a Green Station to reflect the spirit of our Garden City.”He added, “Preserving it as a park can help recharge groundwater table in the Cantonment CBD area. With Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal, just 4 km away and better suited for commercial development, there’s no need to sacrifice this heritage station with its rich biodiversity, which includes 60-plus heritage trees and a temple in its premises.”