Markings on mature trees on Ballari Road near Palace Grounds has angered citizen activists and environmentalists, resulting in a new campaign #MaraHathyeThadeYojane.

Citizens for Bengaluru (CfB), which had spearheaded the campaign against the proposed steel flyover which was eventually shelved, said their campaign is aimed at saving 144 trees, alleging that they are being marked for the elevated corridor.

Trees located between Cauvery Theatre Junction and Mehkri Circle have been marked. A majority of the trees are located near the entry gates of Palace Grounds.

Srinivas Alavilli of CfB said, “The act of authorities is illegal and highly provocative. Without any environmental clearance, officials are blatantly marking the trees. The State government is saying the doors are open for the public for discussion, but that never happened. People have campaigned for Janara Mathu Keli, but the government is yet to hear the public voice.”

Environmentalist Yellappa Reddy has written to the Chief Minister and Deputy CM about the environmental implications of the proposed project in the area.

“For the last one week, officials have been marking trees. The government is doing the exercise even before an environment impact assessment of the project. The government is only concerned about cutting down travel time to the airport by half-an-hour or one hour. No one is thinking about the depletion of green cover and how it will impact the health of the people living in the area,” he said.