More than 300 trees are likely to make way for upgradation of 248 MLD used water treatment shops in the Koramangala-Challaghatta (K&C) vale near Nagasandra in Yemalur. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has approached the Deputy Protector of Timbers of BBMP, who’s also the tree officer, seeking authorization to remove 305 trees so that they can commence construction. The design details handed by the BWSSB states that four sewerage treatment shops (STPs) are located near Nagasandra village, known as K&C vale STPs.
These STPs are treating 40 of the sewage generated in Bengaluru. Out of the four STPs, two STPs (218 MLD and 30 MLD) were erected 25 times and 18 times agone, independently. The BWSSB maintains that the STPs were constructed to treat sewage as per old discharge limits laid down by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In the wake of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) revising the norms of effluent discharge and minor irrigation department’s systems to recharge ground water table by filling lakes in Kolar and Chikkaballapur sections with treated water from K&C vale, the BWSSB has decided take up the design by retaining some of the structures. Among the trees identified, around 120 are teak. Mango, jackfruit, sandal, and bamboo are among the variety of trees identified for removal.
After entering suggestions and expostulations from the public on an announcement issued on January 23rd, the tree officer will decide on retention, translocation and axing of trees. Meanwhile, the tree officer has permitted the removal of over 40 trees for widening storm water rain spouts (SWDs) by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The BBMP had approached the tree officer for junking 73 trees at Soundarya Park, Amarjyothi Layout, RMV 2nd Stage. After the public notice was issued, seven expostulations and suggestions were entered. Expostulations included one arguing that presence of trees helps avoid flooding in the area, and the drainage is completely erected-up, and widening isn’t needed.
BBMP masterminds claim that the being drain doesn’t have the capacity to handle the flux of water. Widening is needed, by removing trees that are located near to the drain. The reply from the SWD masterminds also states that rainspouts have formerly re-modelled in the upstream and downstream, and the balance portion is located in the middle. Once the narrow passage is re-modelled, flooding can be avoided downstream. A tree relocation and 30 tree retention orders have been issued by the tree officer. Authorization was granted for the cutting down of 42 trees.