By P.T. Bopanna
Taking advantage of an order passed by Kodagu deputy commissioner P.I. Sreevidya, to prune dangerous trees in the route to be taken by chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy during his Kodagu visit, the notorious Kerala timber lobby brought down 100 first-generation trees in a single day.
Sreevidya (in picture), though hailing from Kerala, is apparently not aware of the notoriety of the Kerala timber lobby waiting for an opportunity to axe trees.
The deputy commissioner had only directed officials to prune tree branches in Madikeri, Bhagamandala, Talacauvery, Guddehosur and Harangi, the route to be taken by the chief minister on his two-day visit from July 19.
Reports said the orders were issued on Tuesday morning and by evening, the administration brought down around 100 first-generation trees. This was done without consulting the forest department.
A forest official was quoted saying: “We were not consulted and no survey was done to identify dangerous trees.”
Many trees were cut along Bhagamandala and Talacauvery stretch. Trees were felled on Boikeri-Madikeri stretch.
Instead of pruning trees, the priority of the district administration should be to remove fallen trees due to monsoon, especially around Madikeri which has disrupted power supply to the town.
Oh,by George. What a whammy!
The mafia of timber and allied forest produce grabs the first possible opportunity to activate with impunity its ‘Sword of Damocles’ in response to any directive from the government such as pruning of trees, clearing up vegetation or fallen trees.
In the context of the DC’s order, I am prompted to co-relate it to an anecdote of a person who suffers endures the agony of endless pain in his legs and consults a doctor. Prolonged treatment gives no relief and ultimately, the doctor suggests surgery.
So one fine morning, the patient is wheeled into the operation theatre and after around five hours in the post-surgery ward on opening his eyes, he is shocked to the almost end of his life to realise that both his legs have been amputated.
Instantly, he wails at the doctor standing by the bedside: “Oh! What’s this, you’ve chopped off both my legs……”
At this the doctor consoles him by saying: “Look, all these years, you had chronic pain in your legs for which you wished to be cured. Well, from now on, with no legs, you will have no pain whatsoever and that’s how I’ve cured you!!!”
LIKEWISE, THE TIMBER MAFIA MAY COME UP WITH THIS ANSWER: THE DC WANTED TO REMOVE ALL OBSTACLES POSED BY THE TREES AND WE’VE SOLVED HER PREDICAMENT. YES, WITH NO MORE TREES, THERE WON’T BE ANY OBSTACLE WHATSOEVER!!!
CONFUSION IS CREATED BEFORE WE ARE EXPLOITED.
This is typical of how our state govt operates, see the confusion and lack of accountability.
DC says she only asked for branches to be cut, but District Admn cut both sick and healthy trees 100 in number if not more…and Forest Dept says no one asked us.
No one will be pulled up and suspended. This is so ridiculous.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE RAILWAYS TOO.
The MLA says the Thalaserry track will never come into Kodagu, so does the MP. But the survey from the Kerala side started without permission and our Forest Dept says (same thing) no one asked us for permission.
And we the people simply watch while our precious natural heritage is taken away and sold by timber merchants for the benefit of another state.