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Environment

Heat is on: Pollution in city rising

Thursday, 07 October 2010 06:02 administrator
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The Deccan Chronicle  07.10.2010

Heat is on: Pollution in city rising

Oct. 6: Pollution levels in the city are increasing by an average of 10 per cent year on year. According to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), ambient air and noise pollution levels have been crossed in the city limits. The increasing pollution in the urban atmosphere is considered to be one of the main reasons for local warming.

KSPCB is compiling data of the last five years to be published in a book that will serve as a resource for those working in the area of environment. “The publication will have the recorded statistics for the past five years along with a gist of the studies conducted by KSPCB,” said A.S. Sadashivaiah, chairman, KSPCB.

“The idea is to make this information accessible to those undertaking studies on the environment, especially students of engineering and environmental studies who work on projects that require such information. The data will also support in making a comparative study and understand the change in pollution levels.”

Information on air and noise pollution, the effects on water bodies in the city and the state are among the subjects that will be covered. The importance of this data and availability of information in one book is certainly important, said Shekhar Mittal of Praja, a people’s forum. The book is expected to be out in a few weeks.

Last Updated on Thursday, 07 October 2010 06:05
 

‘Prune trees in 15 days’

Wednesday, 29 September 2010 10:04 administrator
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Hindustan Times  29.09.2010

‘Prune trees in 15 days’

Even as it announced a compensation policy for tree-fall victims, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started cracking down on owners of private premises that have dangerously overgrown trees.In the past week, the BMC has surveyed and sent notices to 300-odd private properties, ordering them to prune their trees immediately.
 
Following the spate of branch and tree collapse incidents this monsoon, which have grievously injured two Mumbaiites and killed two others, the municipal corporation has invoked a little-known Section 383 of the BMC Act, 1881, which allows it to survey private premises and order owners to trim the trees.

“Once they get the notice, property owners should take appropriate action in 15 days or they will have to pay penalty,” said Chandrashekhar Rokade, deputy municipal commissioner (gardens).

After the stipulated time frame, the civic body will trim the tree and recover the cost from the errant owner, who will also have to pay a fine of up to Rs 5,000.

“We will continue surveying premises,” said Rokade.

In the past two months, as reported in Hindustan Times, St Xavier’s College student Antara Telang (18) lost her right leg and Kandivli resident Tamanna Bhojani (30) fractured her backbone because of untrimmed trees on private properties.

Following these incidents and the death of two men —Mohammed Aslam Sheikh (45) and Rahim Shaikh (50) — in tree collapses, Mayor Shraddha Jadhav had ordered the BMC to prune trees throughout the year instead of just before the monsoon.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 10:16
 

BBMP waits for SC’s nod to fell 856 trees

Wednesday, 29 September 2010 06:38 administrator
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The New Indian Express  29.09.2010

BBMP waits for SC’s nod to fell 856 trees

BANGALORE: On one hand the city corporation has earmarked crores of rupees in its budget to build tree parks and on the other hand, it is seeking permission to fell as many as 856 trees to widen a road.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the state government have approached the Supreme Court to file an interim application wherein they have sought permission to cut 856 trees in the city. The trees will be felled to widen a 5.5-km stretch on Palace Road. The stretch in question starts from BDA junction and goes around Jayamahal.

BBMP Chief Engineer (Major Roads), Chikrayappa, told Express that the trees that would be axed are saplings and not mature trees. He said many of the trees that would be felled were recently planted along the roads. He said only those trees would be felled that would obstruct widening the stretch.

The chief engineer said a compound wall would be built along the widened stretch and trees would have to be felled for it too. He added that trees would be felled only where necessary.

Chikrayappa informed that they were waiting for the approval of the Supreme Court to start work on the stretch. He said once the work started, it would be completed within 12 months.

The BBMP’s road widening drive has seen stiff opposition from resident welfare organisations in the city. It was alleged that road widening in the city was being taken up in an unscientific manner. Even Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Sureshkumar had spoken against it. Amid increasing opposition from public and organisations, Mayor S K Nataraj had said no road widening work would be taken up unless it had been discussed.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 06:41
 
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