India, April 22 -- Sir,

The recent move by the Minister for Environment and Forests, Eshwar B. Khandre to seek a report on the felling of 40 mature trees on Hyder Ali Road in Mysuru is a welcome step, especially against the background of the PWD's proposal to cut down 175 trees and the marking of 125 more for road widening along the Manandavadi Road and Dattagalli.

However, the justification by the authorities that public protests are "common" during development projects is deeply concerning. The idea that stakeholders have no voice in such decisions, which concerns the crucial issue of Mysuru's green future, undermines the very essence of participatory democracy and the responsibilities of public institutions.

The Karnataka Preservati...