Law Broken! Tahsildar issues Notice to Landowners for Encroachment
Tahsildar-Mangaluru Tq. has issued a notice to landowners on the ‘Landsdowne property’ on Falnir Main Road for encroachment on the water body situated near the property.
Mangaluru: As reported earlier in our article “Destroying Mother Nature! Green Land Makes Way for Concrete Jungle” published on 15 February 2017 (Article Link –https://www.mangalorean.com/destroying-mother-nature-green-land-makes-way-concrete-jungle/), where a bunch of fruit bearing trees were chopped down to make way for commercial/apartment building. This issue was brought to our notice by a neighbour named Marian D’souza, an ardent reader of Mangalorean.com, who lives next to the property. As reported to us by D’Souza, where he stated that the disaster happened on Saturday, 11 February 2017 in the sprawling compound housing the heritage structure ‘Landsdowne’ on Mother Teresa Road (erstwhile Falnir Main Rd.) next to St Mary’s (Marjil) School in the heart of the city, which is a clear case of violation of environmental norms and Green Tribunal rules besides the Tree Protection Act . More than a dozen fruit bearing trees and over 20 coconut trees had been razed to the ground.
In his email to Mangalorean.com, Marian had also requested Team Mangalorean to visit the site if time permits for a first hand assessment of the cruel and brutal massacre of such a large number of fruit bearing trees and take photos of this colossal disaster meeted out to Mother Nature and killing the flora and fauna straight away dealing a body blow to the fragile environment and pollution levels of the city. Always quick in action when any civic issues take place in the City, Team Mangalorean is there to highlight the issue- and this time Team Mangalorean visited this spot, noted the details and published the text and photos prominently in your news portal for creating awareness amongst our readers. We highlighted the damage done to the ecology and exhort the public to be conscious of the enemies of nature. (See pics in the earlier article link below)
Also Marian brought to our notice that there was an abandoned water body situated very close to this sold property, and as per law no buildings should be constructed within 200 mts of the water body (underground tank)-the question to ask in this respect is that how can authorities give permission for an apartment complex to come up in this vicinity. Seems like anything can happen in Mangaluru if you have money power and political influence. Just like the mega infrastructure coming up right in front of Tagore Park, blocking the view of visitors who used to earlier watch sunset/sunrise from this park- supposed to be a heritage spot, but some authorities issued permission for this concrete structure to come up. A complaint was lodged about this issue to the concerned authorities by the concerned few citizens- and they got a positive result.
Once again bringing to the notice of Mangalorean.com about the good news, Marian has informed us saying, ” I have attached snapshots of the notice pasted by the Revenue Inspector bearing the signature of the Tahsildar, Mangalore Tq. on the Landsdowne property on Falnir Main Rd. (The notice has been issued in Kannada). Please visit the site for a first-hand information about the sorry state of affairs. The notice contents of which are self-explanatory states that there is an encroachment on the water body, besides felling of trees on government land and dumping in the tank area. Please highlight the issue prominently in your news portal for creating awareness amongst your readers”. And yes, obliging Marian’s request, Team Mangalorean has hereby highlighted it.
But sadly, yet another ancestral Catholic-owned property which has been existing on the posh Falnir area has been sold. But the sad part is that, by selling this property, the eco-friendly city has lost many clean air producing trees, thereby hurting the environment very badly. This report is just to apprise you of damage done to the environment and with a view to creating awareness about the environment and to highlight the importance of preserving trees. It brings a certain kind of sadness to see rare and valuable fruit yielding trees like Jackfruit, Mango, Coconut, Pepper, Breadfruit, Custard Apple- some of which are real delicacies being ruthlessly hacked like this! It would take decades and decades to grow them back again. Whereas they are just felled to the ground within a minute using automated cutters.
In conclusion, we should all know that Trees provide us shade and shelter, help in moderating the climate, preserving soil, supporting wildlife, reducing pollution and in many other ways. Trees create an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere around us. They make our landscape look beautiful..indeed priceless. However, the population explosion and expansion of commercial areas has resulted in the massive pruning of trees. People are continuously cutting trees for developmental activities like making houses, commercial buildings, parking lots and we are moving a step further in destroying the planet by losing the most valuable resource of the environment.
Have we ever thought what would happen if there were no trees on Earth? Global warming will increase leading to the melting of glaciers and a rise in sea level. This will disturb the entire chain of life on earth. The water cycle will get disturbed, many species of animals will lose their habitats and we will, in turn, lose the huge biodiversity that we are now proud of. What would we provide to the generations yet unborn with, if there were no parks, playgrounds and backyards? How will they feel connected to Nature and Mother Earth? Trees are the lungs through which we breathe. Where would oxygen come for mankind to breathe? Team Mangalorean thanks, Marian D’souza for his fight to save trees and his efforts in bringing awareness about the clean and green environment for the betterment of the society. We need more people like Marian D’souza to “Save Trees and Save the Planet!”
This is an article written as a part of a project on increasing commercialization leading to indiscriminate cutting of trees. It emphasizes on the benefits of trees, their uses and importance in maintaining a healthy life balance. Trees are an important part of society and community. Along with furnishing us with the basic essentials for life like food, oxygen, shelter, medicine, tools, they also satisfy the needs created by our modern ways of living. The value of trees has been increasing ever since more and more benefits are being discovered. If not Earth then where do we think life will exist? If we do not take any action today, then when will the appropriate time come? If not us then who else will work towards their preservation? It’s time to act. Hurry because time is running fast! Save trees, Save the Planet!
Also Read Related Article by the Author Below:
Destroying Mother Nature! Green Land makes Way for Concrete Jungle
