Karnataka   

Axing trees was wrong

Axing trees was wrong

Sir, — This has reference to the recent felling of trees near the taluk office by the CMC in Udupi. At a time when the town is losing its greenery, what we need is more and more trees.

The Kuntalkad area, near Manipal, which was once a dense forest, has lost much of its greenery. Today, construction activity there is in full swing. It will soon become a concrete jungle.

In fact, Udupi itself looks like one today. There was no need to cut the trees near the taluk office as they were not at all an obstruction. The trees provided shade to people waiting to catch buses.

If the trees were an obstruction to road widening, they could have been transplanted elsewhere in the town, preferably at Bujanga Park in Ajjarkad. Widening of the Kalsanka-Manipal Road would also see many trees being felled.

Pundaleek Kamath,

Udupi

Deplorable state of roads

Sir, — The Rustam Bagh Main Road and the cross roads in Rustam Bagh Layout are in a deplorable condition.

When this was brought to the notice of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in December 2006, it was indicated by the Assistant Executive Engineer of Airport Ward, under whose jurisdiction the area falls, that there had been no response from the contractors for the tender floated, and that tenders would be called again. So far, there has been no action.

People of the area are facing a lot of difficulties, especially when it rains.

V. Padmanabhan,

Bangalore

Don't blame animals

Sir, — This has reference to the report of tribal people in Nagarahole National Park area taking shelter on trees to protect themselves from elephant attacks. People are supposed to build homes outside such core wildlife zones. The Forest Department had initiated a Tribal Relocation Programme in Nagarahole to provide them shelter and alternative employment. The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 says that there should be no human settlement in the forests. Despite this, if people choose to live in such areas, then they have to face the dangers. Animals will never enter human settlements unless disturbed by us. It's a pity that people after invading the animal territory blame them for the havoc caused.

Freeda Maria Swarna,

Bangalore

Traffic management

Sir, — Assessing traffic density and mapping traffic in the city, especially on busy roads such as M.G. Road, K.S. Rao Road, Balmatta Road and Falnir Road and at important junctions like Bunts Hostel, P.V.S. Junction, Pump well-Mahaveera Circle, Balmatta and near Jyothi Talkies, and near malls such as Bharath Mall and Empire Mall is the first priority of the traffic police.

Once the density and the direction of the traffic at peak hours are determined, they will have to decide on the areas that can be made one-way during peak hours. This study must cover the entire city up to Suratkal to have data of the traffic woes on NH 17 from Polytechnic to Suratkal. Efficient traffic policemen will have to be posted at all important places. It is also important that parking of vehicles on roadsides, footpaths and outside the malls and cinemas is prohibited, and severe penalty imposed on traffic offenders.

B.N.R. Rao,

Kulur

Readers can also email letters.bangalore@thehin

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Udupi

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