Warangal banyan tree felled for ₹500 fee sparks outrage, second tree saved temporarily
HYDERABAD: Authorities felled a nearly 200-year-old banyan tree in Warangal for road widening after charging a nominal fee of ₹500, drawing criticism from residents and environmentalists. Public outrage has, however, temporarily saved another banyan tree that officials had marked for removal.
Locals alleged that officials planned to cut the second tree without clearance from the forest department. “When we raised concerns, the contractor submitted a request seeking permission to cut ‘Ravi’ trees instead of banyans,” a resident said, requesting anonymity.
Forest department officials admitted lapses in the process and said they intervened. “We have asked them to follow due procedure. The municipality is carrying out the road widening and has applied for permission online. Officials generated a receipt of ₹1,000 for two trees,” a Warangal official said.
Environmentalist Uday Krishna criticised how easily authorities remove old trees. “Our heritage trees have no protection. It has become too easy to cut down 80- to 100-year-old trees. The nominal fee system is flawed. How can we allow the removal of decades-old trees so easily for a small fee when money cannot replace them?” he said.
