Mangaluru, Jul 6: A state-level volleyball coach and a tree-cutting contractor have been booked by the Forest Department for the alleged illegal felling of a rain tree and the pruning of over a dozen other trees in and around the volleyball training ground adjoining the Mangala Stadium in the city.
The department took action after green activist Shashidhar Shetty brought the issue to its notice yesterday.
According to Range Forest Officer P Sridhar, a three-decade-old rain tree near the volleyball training area was cut down, while branches of Ashoka and 13 other trees in the area between the stadium and the volleyball ground were pruned.
In fact an application was submitted by Deputy Director of Youth Services and Sports Pradeep D’Souza to his office on June 4 seeking permission for felling and pruning of some trees whose branches were likely to fall down and cause harm to volleyball players training at the ground.
“Before we could send the personnel, the department had got the contractor, who illegally cut down the old tree on Wednesday. Pruning of branches of other trees was done on Monday and Tuesday,” Sridhar said.
Sridhar said that permission was necessary for cutting and pruning of trees whose girth was 30 cm and more. Felling and pruning of trees without permission was an offence under Section 8 of the Karnataka Tree Preservation Act. The Assistant Range Forest Officer has registered an FIR against Mr. Alva and the contractor.
Narayan Alva, a senior volleyball coach who trains State and national level volleyball players, said the application for pruning of trees was made a day after the fall of a branch of the old rain tree when the training was on.
“I was concerned about the safety of around 100 volleyball players. Hence I requested the department for pruning of the old rain tree near the practice area and other trees outside,” he said.
Alva said he was shocked to see the contractor had felled the old tree, which was among the several trees in the area that served as shelter for players. Mr. Alva said the personnel of the contractor carried out their work between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. when there was no practice session.
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