40 trees felled in Mysuru for road widening sparks outrage among activists

Outrage as 40 trees felled in Mysuru for road widening, sparking environmental concerns and public backlash.

The stillness of an early and quiet Sunday morning in Mysuru was shattered as residents woke up to the devastating sight of 40 towering trees felled under the cover of night, even as heavy earthmoving equipment began rumbling through to clear the stumps, in a move justified as essential for road widening.

The public was taken aback, and environmentalists cried foul as people were clueless about the incident until photographs began circulating on social media.

When contacted, the Forest Department officials said that the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has sought permission to cut down trees to widen the road from Kalikamba Temple on the Hyder Ali Road to the SP Office Circle.

In this regard, the MCC sought permission in February 2025 because the road had to be expanded by 30 meters, and the 40 trees were obstructing it.

When contacted, the Deputy Conservator of Forest K.N. Basavaraj said that the permission was granted based on the project requirement. However, he mentioned that the MCC must compensate by planting 10 saplings for each tree that is felled. Therefore, a total of 400 saplings will be planted as a compensatory measure.

The MCC has been directed to deposit ₹411.27, which is the cost of planting each sapling, amounting to a total of ₹1,64,508 for 400 saplings. And, this is in addition to ₹3.26 lakh for other related costs.

In reply to a question as to why the public was not informed, he said a public hearing is required if more than 50 trees are to be felled, which was not the case here.