This was to send a clear message to the authorities that the Sankey Tank Bund Road widening project has to be halted. On Sunday afternoon, two Greenpeace activists climbed one of the rain trees that was to face the axe. Armed with professional climbing gear and in T-shirts with the message `A fool for forests', Brikesh Singh and M Shivalinga said that urban forests were equally important and need care.
"I am protesting because I have been a resident of Bangalore for five years now. The government is chopping trees everywhere in the name of development. Even at the national level, forests are being cut for coal mining. The government says these projects are for us. I will stay on the tree along with another activist till tomorrow morning, when a PIL on road widening will be heard. This is a way to garner support from Bangaloreans for the 300 trees that are going to be chopped," said Brikesh Singh of Greenpeace India.
The duo had a bag full of apples and energy bars to sustain them through the night.
They also created a new media campaign through email and asked residents to give missed calls to 080 49047 999 to register their support for the cause. All these mails and documents will be submitted to mayor Sharadamma Ramanjaneyalu on Monday. Read the full report here.
Source: Times News Network, Bangalore.
