Hyderabad: A nearly 200-year-old banyan tree was felled in Warangal for road widening after a nominal fee of Rs 500, drawing sharp criticism from residents and environmentalists. Another banyan tree was also at risk, although its felling has been temporarily halted following public outrage.According to locals, the second tree was initially scheduled for felling without the necessary clearance from the forest department. “When we raised concerns, the contractor submitted a request for permission to cut ‘Ravi’ trees rather than banyans,” said one resident, who requested anonymity.Forest officials have acknowledged the lapse and confirmed that they have now intervened. “We have warned them and asked them to follow due procedure. The municipality is carrying out the road widening, and they have filed permission online. A receipt for Rs 1,000 for two trees was generated,” said an official from the forest department in Warangal.Environmentalists say the incident highlights a failure to protect heritage trees. Uday Krishna, an environmentalist, said: “Our heritage trees have absolutely no protection. It has become so easy to cut down 80- to 100-year-old trees. Also, the nominal fee structure is problematic. How can we allow the removal of decades-old trees so easily for a fee when it cannot be compensated with money?”
