Bengaluru, June 4: Renowned ‘Tree Mother’, Padma Shri award winner Salu Marada Thimmakka has begged Karnataka Chief minister Kumaraswamy not to cut the trees for road widening project. Yesterday, Thimakka had a meeting with Karnataka CM in the presence of Deputy CM Dr. G. Parameshwara in Bengaluru and made an appeal that 287 trees standing on the four-kilometre stretch be spared. In response, the CM has assured that he will consider the possibility of finding an alternative route to protect the trees.
The government of Karnataka has proposed to widen the Bagepalli-Halaguru road which has necessitated slaughter of the trees grown alongside. Along a four-kilometre stretch of the same road between Kudur and Hudikal in Ramangara District, 107-year old Padma Shri awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka has not only planted but endearingly grown around 385 banyan trees. The PWD officials of Karnataka have told that the survey for road widening has been done which includes the tree stretch planted by Thimmakka. Protesting against this project, Thimmakka first met Deputy CM of Karnataka G. Parameshwara and he then took her to the CM. The Chief Minister has assured of not letting the trees be cut down but the final notification on this matter has not yet been released. Saalumarada’s plea has received massive support from green activists across Karnataka.