The Forest Department in Karnataka has initiated a process to invite public objections regarding the proposed felling of 86 trees. These trees are slated for removal to facilitate the widening of the Mysuru–T. Narasipura stretch of National Highway-766, a project undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The proposal specifically impacts areas within the T. Narasipura Regional Forest Range, and the Forest Department has set a deadline for the submission of objections, which can be lodged via email, post, or in person.
This road widening project is an integral part of a larger infrastructure development plan aimed at enhancing connectivity and optimizing traffic flow within the region. The NHAI has identified these trees as impediments to the planned expansion of the road, which extends up to Kempayyanahundi in southern Karnataka. The Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976, governs the procedures for felling trees and mandates that permissions be obtained, often requiring public consultation.
While specific details regarding the timeline for the felling of these 86 trees have not been fully elaborated, similar infrastructure projects in the Mysuru region have previously encountered significant public opposition and raised environmental concerns. In May 2026, a proposal to cut down 561 trees for various NHAI projects in and around Mysuru, including a flyover construction and road widening towards Nanjangud and T. Narasipur, attracted over 2,300 public objections. This substantial public response underscores the prevailing sensitivity surrounding tree removal for development initiatives in the area.
Environmental activists and concerned citizen groups have consistently voiced apprehensions regarding the ecological ramifications of such extensive tree cutting, particularly on Mysuru’s green cover and overall environmental equilibrium. They advocate for the adoption of alternative strategies, such as the transplantation of trees, and the exploration of different project alignments to minimize adverse environmental impacts. Notably, the Mysuru Grahakara Parishat has formally urged forest authorities to reconsider their clearances for tree felling, questioning whether viable alternatives to reduce tree cutting were adequately explored before finalizing project plans.
The legal framework governing tree felling in Karnataka is primarily established by the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963, and the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976, complemented by their respective rules. These legislative instruments mandate the acquisition of felling permits from the Forest Department and frequently involve public hearings to solicit objections and suggestions from the community. This structured process is designed to strike a balance between developmental imperatives and the critical need for environmental conservation, although challenges related to implementation and enforcement have been acknowledged.
The final decision concerning the felling of these 86 trees is anticipated to be influenced by a thorough review of the public objections received and the subsequent decisions made by the government authorities.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
