Chikkamagaluru farmer cuts sandalwood branches near Vidhana Soudha to protest NHAI action on his farm

Chikkamagaluru farmer protests NHAI action by cutting sandalwood branches, claiming inadequate compensation for lost trees.

A sandalwood farmer from Chikkamagaluru, T.N. Vishu Kumar, allegedly severed branches of a sandalwood tree near Vidhana Soudha on February 10 in protest against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). 

The NHAI began clearing sandalwood trees cultivated by Mr. Kumar at Haliyur in Tarikere taluk of Chikkamagaluru district on February 9. The authority has acquired four acres of land in the village for National Highway 206 (Shivamogga–Tumakuru). 

On February 9, Special Land Acquisition Officer (SLAO) Siddalinga Reddy, Assistant Commissioner of Tarikere N. V. Natesh, and other staff members arrived at the site along with workers to clear the trees. Mr. Kumar protested against the tree cutting. 

The following day, Mr. Kumar arrived in Bengaluru and cut branches of a sandalwood tree near Vidhana Soudha to draw the government’s attention. Soon after, the Vidhana Soudha police detained Mr. Kumar and seized the machete. Recently, Mr. Kumar had threatened to end his life as a form of protest in Chikkamagaluru.

A senior police officer from the central division told The Hindu that he would be booked under the Karnataka Forest Act for cutting branches.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Kumar said, “They have killed my trees, which I have guarded for 14 years. When they can sever my trees, why shouldn’t I?”