{"id":4543,"date":"2025-06-26T00:45:20","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T19:15:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=4543"},"modified":"2025-06-26T23:40:53","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T18:10:53","slug":"419-trees-to-fall-for-bengaluru-university-expansion-environmentalists-cry-foul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=4543","title":{"rendered":"419 Trees to Fall for Bengaluru University Expansion: Environmentalists Cry Foul"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Bengaluru\u2019s Green Cover Under Threat: 419 Trees Face Axe for University Expansion<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Environmentalists Condemn Move, Call It a Builder-Led Land Grab Under the Guise of Development<\/em><\/p>\n

Bengaluru, June 26, 2025<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Even as the Karnataka government mulls declaring Bengaluru University\u2019s Jnana Bharathi campus a \u201cheritage site,\u201d the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has moved to cut down\u00a0419 trees<\/strong>\u00a0to pave the way for new academic and research blocks. The controversial decision, part of a \u20b9100-crore infrastructure project under the\u00a0PM-USHA scheme<\/strong>, has drawn sharp criticism from environmentalists who allege that the move prioritizes construction over conservation in a city already gasping for breath.<\/p>\n

The Project: A Threat to Bengaluru\u2019s Fragile Ecosystem?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The proposed construction includes an\u00a0Academic Building (107,376 sq ft, three floors)<\/strong>\u00a0and a\u00a0Research Building (16,163 sq ft, two floors)<\/strong>, intended to foster studies in digital education, climate change, AI, and sustainable development. While the university claims the project will elevate its global standing, activists argue that the\u00a0destruction of 419 trees<\/strong>\u2014many of them decades-old\u2014will further degrade Bengaluru\u2019s fast-disappearing green cover.<\/p>\n

A\u00a0public notice<\/strong>\u00a0issued on June 20 has given citizens just\u00a010 days<\/strong>\u00a0to raise objections, a window environmentalists say is too short for meaningful opposition.<\/p>\n

“Once a Forest, Always a Forest”: Activists Decry Hypocrisy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Dr. TJ Renuka Prasad, a prominent environmentalist, slammed the move, stating that\u00a0Jnana Bharathi is part of a 244-acre forest in Nagarbhavi<\/strong>\u00a0and falls under the\u00a0BR-2 Bio Reserve Forest<\/strong>\u00a0category.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Supreme Court has ruled that once a forest, always a forest. Yet, the university has already begun clearing smaller trees as if it\u2019s a done deal,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/p>\n

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“Why destroy a forest when you can build upwards? This is not development\u2014it\u2019s destruction.”<\/strong><\/em>
\u2014 Dr. TJ Renuka Prasad, Environmentalist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Challenging the justification for the project, Dr. Prasad questioned why the university\u00a0cannot opt for vertical expansion<\/strong>\u00a0instead of razing trees.\u00a0\u201cWhy not build multi-story structures on existing land? Why must every \u2018development\u2019 project in Bengaluru come at the cost of its environment?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

He also raised suspicions of\u00a0builder lobbies influencing the decision<\/strong>, alleging that the move is a\u00a0land grab disguised as educational progress<\/strong>.\u00a0\u201cIf the government truly wants to decentralize education, why not allocate 100 acres in other districts? Why always target Bengaluru\u2019s last remaining green spaces?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

University Defends Move, Calls Trees “Non-Traditional”<\/strong><\/h3>\n

University officials dismissed the concerns, claiming the\u00a0trees marked for felling\u2014primarily Eucalyptus (Nilgiri) and Akshaya species\u2014are \u201cnot rare\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0and do not belong to the bio-park zone.<\/p>\n

*\u201cWe have planted over 6 lakh saplings and maintain a well-developed bio-park. The selected area is officially designated for development, and we are committed to environmentally conscious growth,\u201d*\u00a0a university source said.<\/p>\n

However, activists counter that\u00a0even non-native species play a crucial role in mitigating pollution<\/strong>\u00a0in a city where\u00a0respiratory illnesses, heart diseases, and skin conditions are rising alarmingly<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A City Sacrificed for “Development”?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Bengaluru, once known as the\u00a0“Garden City,”<\/strong>\u00a0has lost\u00a0nearly 80% of its green cover<\/strong>\u00a0in the last four decades due to unchecked urbanization. The latest move comes just weeks after\u00a0Deputy CM DK Shivakumar performed the \u2018Guddali Pooja\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0(inauguration ceremony) for the project, signaling the government\u2019s approval.<\/p>\n

Environmentalists warn that\u00a0each felled tree worsens the city\u2019s air quality, water scarcity, and urban heat island effect<\/strong>.\u00a0\u201cWe cannot afford to lose even a single tree, whether it\u2019s rare or not. The builders\u2019 mafia is exploiting the name of education to destroy our environment,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Dr. Prasad asserted.<\/p>\n

The Way Forward: Can Bengaluru Balance Growth and Green?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As the\u00a010-day objection window nears its end<\/strong>, citizens and activists are mobilizing to challenge the BBMP\u2019s decision. The larger question remains:\u00a0Should Bengaluru\u2019s last green lungs be sacrificed for infrastructure, or can the government find a sustainable middle path?<\/strong><\/p>\n

For now, the axes are ready, and time is running out.<\/p>\n

Contact For Media Updates: +91-93531 21474<\/span> [WhatsApp]<\/span><\/h3>\n

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Short Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Bengaluru University\u2019s Jnana Bharathi campus, part of a 244-acre forest, is set to lose\u00a0419 trees<\/strong>\u00a0for new academic and research blocks under the\u00a0PM-USHA scheme<\/strong>. Environmentalists oppose the move, citing\u00a0Supreme Court rulings on forest protection<\/strong>\u00a0and demanding\u00a0vertical expansion instead<\/strong>. The BBMP has given only\u00a010 days for public objections<\/strong>, raising suspicions of\u00a0hasty approvals favoring builders<\/strong>. With Bengaluru already facing severe\u00a0air pollution and health crises<\/strong>, activists warn that\u00a0more tree loss will worsen the city\u2019s livability<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Q&A (Key Questions & Answers)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Q: Why are 419 trees being cut?<\/strong>
\nA: To construct new academic and research buildings under the\u00a0PM-USHA scheme<\/strong>, funded by Central & State governments.<\/p>\n

Q: What\u2019s the environmentalists\u2019 argument?<\/strong>
\nA: The area is a\u00a0BR-2 Bio Reserve Forest<\/strong>, and the\u00a0Supreme Court mandates forest protection<\/strong>. They suggest\u00a0vertical construction<\/strong>\u00a0instead.<\/p>\n

Q: What does the university say?<\/strong>
\nA: The trees are\u00a0“non-native” (Eucalyptus & Akshaya)<\/strong>, and the university has planted\u00a06 lakh saplings<\/strong>\u00a0elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Q: Why is this controversial?<\/strong>
\nA: Bengaluru has lost\u00a080% green cover<\/strong>\u00a0in 40 years, and tree loss worsens\u00a0air pollution, heat, and water scarcity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Q: What can citizens do?<\/strong>
\nA: File objections within\u00a010 days<\/strong>\u00a0(before June 30) to BBMP.<\/p>\n

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Context & Background<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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    Jnana Bharathi Campus<\/strong>: A\u00a0244-acre forested zone<\/strong>\u00a0in Nagarbhavi, part of Bengaluru University.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    PM-USHA Scheme<\/strong>: Central govt\u2019s\u00a0\u20b9100-crore grant<\/strong>\u00a0(60% Centre, 40% State) for higher education infrastructure.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Bengaluru\u2019s Green Crisis<\/strong>: City has lost\u00a079% of its green cover since 2000<\/strong>, leading to\u00a0water shortages, heatwaves, and pollution<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Legal Angle<\/strong>:\u00a0Supreme Court\u2019s 1996 order<\/strong>\u00a0states that\u00a0any area recorded as forest must remain so<\/strong>, regardless of ownership.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Quote Box (Key Statements)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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    “Why destroy a forest when you can build upwards? This is not development\u2014it\u2019s destruction.”<\/em>
    \n\u2014 Dr. TJ Renuka Prasad, Environmentalist<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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    “We\u2019ve planted 6 lakh saplings, but that doesn\u2019t justify cutting 419 mature trees.”<\/em>
    \n\u2014 Green Activists\u2019 Counter-Argument<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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    “If the government really cared about education, they\u2019d develop other districts instead of targeting Bengaluru\u2019s last green spaces.”<\/em>
    \n\u2014 Local Resident & Protester<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    #SaveJnanaBharathi\u00a0<\/strong>#StopBBMPTreeCutting <\/strong>#OnceAForestAlwaysAForest\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Bengaluru\u2019s Green Cover Under Threat: 419 Trees Face Axe for University Expansion Environmentalists Condemn Move, Call It a Builder-Led Land Grab Under the Guise of Development Bengaluru, June 26, 2025\u00a0\u2013 Even as the Karnataka government mulls declaring Bengaluru University\u2019s Jnana Bharathi campus a \u201cheritage site,\u201d the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has moved to cut […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4544,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[198],"tags":[1046,974,1047,1048],"class_list":["post-4543","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bengaluru","tag-bangalore-university","tag-environment","tag-jnana-bharati","tag-trees"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4543"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4543\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4552,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4543\/revisions\/4552"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}