India, April 17 -- Sir,

The news item published in Star of Mysore dated Apr. 13 about the merciless mowing down of more than three dozen fully grown avenue trees by the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) for widening Hyder Ali Road between Nexus Mall and the SP Office - in connivance with the Forest Department - is nothing short of mayhem committed against nature.

Does this mean that, to accommodate the ever-increasing vehicle population, roads will continue to be widened at the cost of nature? While it is acknowledged that there are no easy solutions, the question remains: Did the MCC explore alternative approaches?

If they truly apply their minds, more sustainable solutions can be found. What's needed is a combination of positive, nature-...