The Greater Bengaluru Authority has received more than 1,500 objections against the felling of trees for the Hebbal Short Tunnel

Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). File | Photo credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has received more than 1,500 objections against the felling of 1,128 trees for the Hebbal Short Tunnel Project, even as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has barred the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) from cutting any trees till the completion of the hearing in the case calling for the felling of trees for the project.

The GBA raised objections to the proposed tree felling on September 20, giving a 10-day deadline. But the authority did not upload the list of trees, prompting activists to demand an extension.

According to GBA sources, they received over 700 objections during the first window, with the remaining objections coming in before the deadline.

An officer told The Hindu that the main objections are related to species diversity and the large number of trees to be felled. “Many of the objections are very detailed and include a list of species to highlight biodiversity. Many have also pointed to one aspect such as microclimate and elaborated on the impact of tree felling on that aspect,” the officer said.

Biodiversity loss and more

According to the official, several objections also relate to the size of some trees, based on independent assessments by those who submitted them. Other objections highlight the potential impact on other species, hydrological concerns due to the route’s proximity to Lake Hebbal and the risk of the area turning into a heat island as it serves as a key lung space.

The officer said the objections were filtered and grouped into different topics. “We will refer all objections and concerns raised by citizens to the tree expert committee and the implementing agency Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).

“The BDA will also consider the objections and explain why the trees need to be felled. The tree expert committee members and the BDA will also conduct a joint inspection of the site to review the proposal,” he said.

Meanwhile, due to the NGT’s stay order, the BDA cannot cut any trees till December 15, the next date of hearing. Further measures can only be taken after the meeting and in accordance with its outcome.

Decide tree committee

Recently, during an interaction with The Hindu, BDA Chairman NA Haris said that only 56 trees will be cut and the remaining trees will be relocated. However, the GBA officer clarified that any decision regarding the trees would have to be taken by the expert tree committee.

“Irrespective of whether the trees are relocated or felled, the BDA will have to plant 10 trees for every tree felled,” a GBA official said.

Published – 20 Oct 2026 19:22 IST