It could not have happened at a worse time. When experts have warned that India's Silicon Valley, Bengaluru could become uninhabitable by 2025 due to the rising pollution, some in the city are busy killing whatever green cover is left in the city.
Nile Enterprises, an ad agency in Bengaluru, has been accused of 'poisoning' nearly two dozen trees on the road so that their hoardings are more visible.
Vijay Nishanth
The 17 trees were reportedly poisoned by injecting acid on their roots, which eventually lead to the death of 14 of them.?
Vijay Nishanth
The agency had also chopped off nearly a dozen trees in Bengaluru's outer ring road, to clear the view of the iPhone hoarding, and a Jewellery ad.
The illegal act was first noticed by Vijay Nishanth, a city-based environmentalist and animal rights activist.
Vijay Nishanth
Speaking to Indiatimes, Nishanth, who is a 'tree doctor' said he noticed the trees had dried up suddenly, which is unusual and suspected foul play. Upon inspection, he said it was a deliberate attempt.
Vijay Nishanth
"Seventeen trees were poisoned with acid and the branches of 13 were cut. The acid was poured on the roots."
Nishanth said three of the trees can be revived through treatment by scraping off the acid and applying a balm of orange oil and beeswax.
Vijay Nishanth
He added that the hoardings in question were erected illegally and that they did not have the necessary permissions.
After Nishanth reported the incident to the Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) the hoardings were pulled down on Friday.
The BBMP has also promised strict action against those behind the act.
Vijay Nishanth
We have removed two hoardings ¡ª a jewellery advertisement in Marathahalli and telecom company ad in Mahadevapura. We will take strict action against the companies. They have not only chopped off the branches but also poisoned the trees. This is an act of cruelty," Appu Rao AG, deputy conservator of forests said.
Vijay Nishanth
Nishanth, who has been involved in tree conservation for years said the lack of accountability and unplanned urbanisation is to be blamed the for the trees being destroyed and called for strict punishment for those responsible.
"Without strict punishment and alert, vigilant public, we cannot save the trees of this city.¡±?