Hebbal-Nagawara valley project: Over 6,000 trees face the axe

A notification, published on June 14, has invited objections

Why destroy an ecosystem to create a new one? Anger is brewing among citizens and environmentalists over the Minor Irrigation Department’s proposal to clear over 6,000 trees in Singanayakanahalli to make way for a lake under the Hebbal-Nagawara Valley Project. According to a recent notification by the Forest Department, 6,316 trees have been proposed to be felled to make way for the development of Singanayakanahalli lake, Yelahanka hobli, as they are in the way of the project. The notification, published on June 14, has invited objections via email or post within 10 days from its publication. The Hebbal-Nagawara Valley Project aims to fill 65 tanks in Bengaluru Urban, Rural and Chickballapur. Last February, Bagaluru lake became the first to receive treated water from the project and meant to act as an impounded reservoir to supply water to 11 other lakes in the region. Though direct use of treated water for drinking and agricultural purposes has been prohibited, farmers in the area were largely optimistic of the project pushing up the water table.