MANGALORE: The Mangalore City Corporation will seek permission from the Forest Department to cut two huge pepal trees at Mannagudda.

Spared

They were part of eight trees that have been spared from being felled some time ago to widen the road between Lady Hill and Durga Mahal.

The trees, which are stated to be over 100 years old, are being used for religious purposes. People of the area have decided to appeal to Deputy Conservator of Forests Anita Arekal to save the trees.

According to officials of the Mangalore City Corporation, the two trees are situated at 7 metres and 6.5 metres from the centre of the road and there was no way one can build the four-lane road and still save them.

Pruning

The people pointed out that the Forest Department had agreed to spare the two trees along with five, and it was indicated that only the aerial roots had to be trimmed along with pruning of some branches.

Following appeals by the people, Assistant Conservator of Forests A.S. Abbas indicated that seven trees were well beyond the ridgeline of the road and need not be cut.

Denied

He had denied permission to cut the seven trees, including the pepal trees.

The people said that the road between Lady Hill and Durga Mahal and further up to Chitra cinema was neither a highway nor the one with heavy traffic.

The road could still be narrower at some points, especially where there were trees, the people said.

Similar problem

They pointed out that the Lady Hill-Kottara Chowki Road, which was widened some time ago, had faced a similar problem. But the pepal tree in the middle of the road had been saved.

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