Bengaluru Residents Challenge Flyover Tree Count

Bengaluru Tree Count Challenge

Residents in east Bengaluru’s Indiranagar mapped trees along a proposed 13-km flyover route.

“Our survey didn’t include the trees that will be cut inside the Swami Vivekananda Metro Station where the ramp will begin or a nearby church and temple whose premises will be taken”

Project Report vs. Survey Count

Flyover’s detailed project report estimates 89 trees felled and 235 trees within construction width versus residents’ count of 1,001 trees.

Survey Limitations

Residents surveyed only a 3.5-km stretch of the 13-km flyover route and counted all trees without distinguishing those directly affected by construction.

“The count would be more than 1,001 if we included those”

Court Action Taken

Four residents’ associations filed a petition over the discrepancy, currently being heard in the Karnataka High Court.

Project Response

Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited dropped one stretch of the flyover while the rest continues after court order.

“There was a writ petition, so we did not want to hurry. We will abide by the court decision”

Expert Analysis

Harini Nagendra notes project reports often undercount trees by excluding mature trees with high carbon sequestration potential.

“They are the very trees that deserve more attention”

Citywide Tree Crisis

Bengaluru had 1.47 million trees for 9.5 million residents in 2014, now less than 4% vegetation cover with rising urban heat.

Urban Heat Impact

Built-up areas reach 40 degrees celsius while green areas stay at 31 degrees celsius, worsening heat island effect.

Tree Transplantation Issues

Mature trees have poor survival rates after transplantation and take 30-40 years to provide equivalent cooling benefits.

Biodiversity Concerns

Project reports ignore impacts on urban wildlife, including 183 bird species at Hebbal Lake and 95 at Veterinary College.

Offset Limitations

Project sets aside Rs 4.26 crore to plant 2,350 saplings but they provide no immediate cooling or ecological benefits.

Citywide Campaign

Residents urge redirecting flyover funds toward public transport to address urban congestion.

“Flyovers shift the choke point from one place to another”