NCEF, Federation to protest destruction of trees in Padil

NCEF, Federation to protest destruction of trees in Padil

Mangalore Today News Network

May 16, 2016: The  NCEF, National Environment Care Federation in Mangaluru is taking forward steps seriously   to protect the Padil forest department land that has been earmarked for the Rs 41-crore DC’s, Deputy Commissioner’s Office complex.

NCEF,  is going all out to mobilize citizens duely pointing out to the current water crisis in the district. The NCEF’s refrain is now, "Do you want monsoons for water crisis to end? Do you want to breathe air with sufficient oxygen content? All this is only possible if we respect our nature, environment and protect the trees," said Shashidhar Shetty of the federation. The organization will hold a protest on May 17, Tuesday in front of DC’s office.

The Karnataka  state cabinet in April had given its nod to the new DC’s office complex in Padil and has sanctioned Rs 41 crore for the five-storey building, to be spread over an area of 2,15,382 square feet.


Shetty said the Padil land issue is still with NGT, National Green Tribunal, Chennai, which has given a stay for tree feeling till July 4. The NGT has ordered that Central Environment Committee with the help from Chief Conservator of Forests inspect the land and give required reports.

The forest department survey to determine whether the Padil land was deemed forest or not has been contested by a advocate who had approached the NGT earlier. The survey has identified only 66 of the 386 trees as naturally grown in 5.89 acres and had also determined the land was less than five acres by deducting areas where there was road and buildings.

The Mysuru regional commissioner’s office also ruled that there was no need for deemed forest approval since the land has an institutional plantation.