Save 368 trees at Bengaluru Cantonment!

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To:

The Deputy Conservator of Forests & Tree Officer BBMP, N.R. Square,

RLDA

Forest Minister

Victory Update

September 10, 2025

The Cantonment Railway Colony, home to over 370 diverse trees, has officially been declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site. This victory is a result of the efforts of over 15,000 citizens who stood tall to protect the ecologically rich region. Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre inspected the site in June, 2025. Taking citizens’ concerns into account, the Biodiversity Board chaired by Minister Khandre, in a historic move, officially designated the site a Biodiversity Heritage Site.

The deadline for submission of objections has passed. Over 3081 objections were submitted against the project.

June 20, 2025

Karnataka Minister of Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre visited Bengaluru Cantonment where concerned citizens requested him to save the heritage trees from facing the axe. Minister Khandre has called for a meeting to discuss the issue while promising to convert the region into a biodiversity park. More details on next steps are awaited.

May 7, 2025

After receiving a score of objections, Karnataka Forest Minister announced a public consultation to be held on May 20, 2025 to discuss the potential felling of 368 trees in Bengaluru Cantonment. It will involve citizens, railway authorities and the forest department.

May 19, 2025
2956 Objections have been sent

Campaign Partners:

Namma Bengaluru Foundation
Bengaluru Post

A Commercial Development Project has been proposed at the Cantonment railway station in Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru, by the Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA) under the Ministry of Railways. The cost of this project is 368 mature trees, many of which are over 100 years old and will have to be chopped off for the construction. The railway station in question has only recently been modified and rebuilt. Most of these are heritage trees like Peepal, Rubber, and Christmas trees and are located within a historically significant area, adding cultural and ecological importance.

If the tree felling is intended solely for a commercial complex, we request that the purpose of this commercial development be clearly notified, including how it will serve railway passengers and the station’s users.

The BBMP Forest Wing is seeking objections/comments until May 6, 2025.

At a time when Bengaluru is already grappling with extreme temperatures, worsening air quality, and water scarcity, largely due to rapid loss of greenery, this project, if approved, will be particularly destructive. It could set a dangerous precedent for further destruction of Bengaluru’s remaining green spaces solely for commercial purposes.

Moreover, given that the state-of-the-art Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal at Baiyappanahalli remains underutilised, we strongly recommend exploring that facility for any new commercial or logistical expansions rather than compromising the ecological heritage of the Cantonment.

As of now, there has been no public consultation or exploration of sustainable alternatives!

We have until May 6, 2025 to send in our objections and save these precious trees.

Subject (required):

Dear (cc ),

Email body

Dear Sir,

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed felling of 368 trees within the premises of the Bangalore Cantonment Railway Colony in Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru, as notified in the public notice dated 25 April 2025 (No. DCF/PR185/2025-26) by the BBMP Forest Department.

These trees, including century-old Peepal, Rubber, and Christmas trees, are an irreplaceable part of Bengaluru’s cultural and ecological heritage. Their removal will worsen our city's air quality, rising temperatures and water shortage issues!

Bengaluru cannot afford another blow to its already shrinking green cover. If the tree felling is intended solely for a commercial complex, I request that the purpose of this commercial development be clearly notified, including how it will serve railway passengers and the station’s users.

Development must not come at the cost of our ecology. Moreover, given that the state-of-the-art Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal at Baiyappanahalli remains underutilised, I strongly recommend exploring that facility for any new commercial or logistical expansions rather than compromising the ecological heritage of the Cantonment.

I respectfully urge you to –
1. Immediately halt any plans to cut down the trees.
2. Conduct a transparent public consultation before making any decision.
3. Disclose the Detailed Project Report (DPR) 
4. Explore alternative solutions that prioritise conservation such as utilising underused infrastructure like Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal at Baiyappanahalli

I urge your offices to take action in the interest of sustainable urban planning and balanced development.

Thank you

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