During the recent controversy about cutting trees on Lalit Mahal Road to widen it, allegations were made in the media that NGOs including Mysore Grahakara Parishat were blindly against all development. Claims were also made that MGP opposes tree cutting selectively, that it vehemently opposes tree cutting in some places and turns a blind eye to tree cuttings elsewhere. The current tree policy of MGP presented below clarifies these issues.
1. MGP's Tree Policy is not rigid and inflexible. These are some guidelines.
2. MGP is not against development. It supports all development which is beneficial to the people in the long run. The local authorities always put forward the argument of development for any construction or destruction they propose and many times the development they have in mind is no development at all. MGP will support only those projects in which the positive effects of development clearly outweigh the negative effects of destroying the environment to achieve that development.
3. Some leniency must be shown about cutting trees grown in residential properties. Otherwise, people will stop planting trees on their sites and the green cover that characterises much of old Mysore will be absent in newer extensions.
4. There is little evidence that widening roads will lead to less accidents. In fact, the opposite may be true. Unless clear cut evidence is produced to show that road-widening is absolutely necessary and that there are no viable alternatives, MGP opposes road-widening as a solution to traffic problems.
5. MGP should work for better public transportation so that use of private vehicles can be minimized. This will reduce road congestion.
6. Boulevards are an inseparable part of the heritage of Mysore. They should be preserved as far as possible, even at the cost of some inconvenience to the public.
7. MGP can not fight every case of tree cutting. Its members are free to oppose any tree cutting, subject to the above guidelines.
Maj.Gen. S.G. Vombatkere, President, Mysore Grahakara Parishat