Amidst opposition from activists, MCC justifies felling of trees for road work

coastaldigest.com web desk

October 29, 2018

Mangaluru, Oct 29: The felling of trees as part of road construction work between Kannagudde and Saripalla by the Mangaluru City Corporation has evoked protest from the green activists.

The MCC had sought permission from the Southern Railway as a portion of the land on which the road passes through belongs to the Railways. It was a long pending demand of the Kannagudde and Saripalla residents. On Saturday a giant rain tree was razed to the ground to facilitate the road work.

Mayor Bhaskar K. said that the MCC paid Rs. 1.35 crore to the Railways that accorded permission for laying the road. The MCC has earmarked Rs. 85 lakh for laying the road. “It is a long pending demand of the residents. The road will come up in the next few weeks,” he said.

The MCC then sought permission from the Range Forest Officer, Mangaluru, for felling 26 trees coming in the way of the project. The RFO granted permission on August 9 for cutting down the old rain tree and 25 others that included badam, mango, jackfruit and Sagwani trees.

While 25 trees were cut a few days ago, the old rain tree with 3.8 metres girth was cut down on Saturday evening. National Environment Care Federation Ullal unit president Naveen Nayak accused the MCC of unnecessarily removing the old rain tree that was by the side of the proposed road. “Despite the tree not coming in the way of the new road, it has been removed. This tree is nearly a century old,” he said and rued the apathy of the officials to preserving greenery.

Refuting the allegations, Mr. Bhaskar said that the old tree was removed as it was on the road shoulder-drain alignment and other utilities. “We care about trees. We do not unnecessarily cut them down,” he said and added that afforestation for the loss of 26 trees has been taken up on a land nearby.

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Nature will retaliate some day.

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A Tragic End—Mortal Remains of Entrepreneur Mumtaz Ali Found In River

News Network

October 7,2024

Mangaluru, Oct 7: In a heartbreaking turn of events, the search for Mumtaz Ali, chairman of Misbah Group of Educational Institutions, ended with the discovery of his mortal remains in the Phalguni river near Kulur. The somber discovery came after an exhaustive search, leaving a community in shock and sorrow.

He is the younger brother of former MLA Mohuiddin Bawa and former MLC B M Farookh.

The incident has taken a deeply distressing turn with the filing of an FIR against six individuals, including a woman, who are accused of pushing Ali to a tragic end.

The accused allegedly blackmailed Ali, fabricating a story about his involvement in an illicit relationship with the woman. Reports suggest that they extorted Rs 50 lakh from Ali and were unrelenting, demanding an additional Rs 50 lakh from him, casting a shadow over his final days.

The complaint, lodged by Ali’s grieving brother, accuses these individuals of driving him to despair through relentless blackmail and false accusations, ultimately leading him to take the tragic step.

In the early hours of Sunday, Ali left his home at 3 am, heading towards Suratkal, perhaps seeking some solace. A minor accident occurred when his car collided with a private bus near MCF. Despite the mishap, he offered a heartfelt apology to the bus driver and conductor—a gesture that now echoes with the pain of his unspoken struggles. After the collision, Ali made a U-turn near Panambur circle, driving back towards Kulur bridge, where his journey came to a sorrowful end.

Ali’s last moments hold an even deeper sadness, as he left behind a voice message in Byari, naming an individual who had been tormenting him mentally. Sent to his daughter and a close friend, the message revealed the unbearable burden he was carrying, hinting at his final decision to end his suffering.

This tragic loss has left the community and his loved ones grappling with unanswered questions and a profound sense of grief. As the investigation unfolds, the memory of Mumtaz Ali lingers, a reminder of the silent battles that too often go unseen.

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