Under the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act,1976 and Tree Rules a tree census shall be initiated in the city of Bengaluru within the next 2 weeks. The census, though mandatory under the Act, is being conducted for the first time in 43 years. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has earmarked  amount of Rupees 2 (two) Crores has  for this purpose in the budget for the year 2019-20.

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Mohammad Nawaz restrained the tree officer of BBMP from allowing felling of more than 50 trees for the public projects.

According to the petition filed by D.T. Devare through advocate Pradeep Nayak, the green cover of Bengaluru has been reduced to 78%. Also, according to a study it has been observed that on an average there must be eight trees per person to offset human respiratory carbon and have adequate oxygen. However, Bengaluru there is presently one tree for seven persons which is less than 1.8% of the required number of trees.

This has resulted in the rise of temperatures along with causing greater pollution in the city. Further, the reduction of the green cover is responsible for deterioration of the quality of life of its residents and quality of air and environment in the city.

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