Bengaluru citizens hug trees, seek public consultation on Hebbal short tunnel project

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Oct 5, 2026: Citizens in north Bengaluru formed human chains and hugged trees on Sunday to protest the proposed felling of 1,128 trees for the 2.2-km Hebbal short tunnel project, demanding meaningful public consultation before the trees are removed.

The protesters said the environmental impact of the project was disproportionate to the relatively short length of the tunnel.

The tunnel, proposed to be constructed using the cut-and-cover method, will pass through several green spaces, including the tree park beneath the flyover, the Hebbal Lake buffer zone, the Veterinary College campus and the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) staff quarters.

According to the citizen group, more than 70 species of trees are at risk, including native varieties such as figs, mahua, champak, Indian almond, Indian gooseberry and jackfruit. Flowering species such as jacaranda, copperpod and tabebuia, along with heritage banyan trees, are also among those that could be affected.

The protesters said north Bengaluru had already lost much of its old tree cover and warned that the cumulative impact of past, ongoing and proposed infrastructure projects around Hebbal Lake could be severe.

They alleged that trees were already being affected by site preparation and ongoing work, with branches being damaged and holes drilled near tree roots. They cautioned that excavation and root disturbance could harm trees even if they are not officially marked for felling.

The citizens also said that details of the affected trees remained inaccessible even two weeks after the public notice was issued, citing the maintenance and migration of the Greater Bengaluru Authority’s website. Restricted access to project sites had further made it difficult for residents to inspect and document trees that could be affected.

The protesters demanded public access to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), access to the affected sites and meaningful consultation before any large-scale tree felling is undertaken.

They said Bengaluru could no longer afford to lose trees without adequate justification, particularly during a drought year.

“It feels like watching a part of my childhood being torn apart. Beyond the loss of greenery, I am concerned about what the project means for north Bengaluru, especially its impact on the lake and surrounding ecosystem. There needs to be proper public consultation before moving forward,” said Gowtham Thammineni, a long-time Hebbal resident.