Bengaluru trees being killed forcefully, reveals 'doctor'

At a time when the government is being criticised for cutting down trees, Vijay Nishanth, an Urban Conservationist, has unveiled a shocking fact that many trees are being poisoned in different parts of the Bengaluru city to misguide and trick the activists and officials.

Vijay, known as the 'tree doctor' for saving a large number of such trees after identifying them, has documented around 8,000 trees through a GPS technology under his pet project named, 'Vruksha'. His study has revealed that in most of the cases, the culprits drill holes in the roots of a tree and pour either mercury or sulphuric acid inside it to cause premature decaying.

"The tree roots will get damaged, and it will die slowly. Hence, no permission will be required to remove the dead tree. Many do this as they will not get permission from tree authorities to remove a perfectly healthy tree. A complaint also has been filed with Deputy Conservator of Forest, BBMP to nab such culprits," Vijay said. 

The activist is an engineering college dropout and has initiated a campaign to save the trees in the city that is losing its former glory. While working on his campaign, Vijay has come across a trivial reason behind the forceful killing of trees.

"A house owner has poisoned a Jamun tree on advice from his astrologer as the tree may pose vastu problem. I still manage to save the tree as I was tipped off from a source about what was happening. I removed the lead part by cutting the tree bark. The remaining part was nurtured well," he added.

BBMP Deputy Conservator of Forest, Appu Rao said, the complaints are being examined, and those who are found violating the law will have to face serious consequences.
 

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