Mangaluru: The state government has granted permission for the felling of 1,088 trees in Mundoor and Bajathur villages in Puttur taluk, paving the way for the construction of an RTO driving track and a Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Residential School complex, according to a statement from MLA Ashok Kumar Rai.
Tree Removal for RTO Driving Track
Out of the total, 267 trees located on four acres of government land in Mundoor village, under the Mangaluru Social Forestry Division, will be removed to make way for the RTO driving track and driver training centre. The MLA confirmed that the government has directed authorities to follow Section 8(3) of the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act to clear the trees from the project sites.
Tree Clearance for Residential School
Additionally, permission has been granted to clear 821 trees from 6.2 acres of land at Bidiradi in Bajathur village. This land is earmarked for the construction of a residential school for students from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and socially and economically backward communities, proposed under the social welfare department.
Delays and Clearance
Ashok Kumar Rai noted that both projects had been delayed due to the pending permission for tree felling. He had previously submitted requests to the forest minister seeking approval. With the government now issuing orders for tree removal, the hurdles for both projects have been eliminated, and development work is expected to commence shortly.
