Businessman booked for cutting down 42 trees and plants in Kaup

Businessman uproots 42 trees in Udupi district, faces legal action from Forest Department and police.

The Forest Department and police have booked separate cases against a businessman for allegedly uprooting 42 roadside trees/plants in Alangaru of Nadsal village of Kaup taluk in Udupi district on March 18.

In the compliant to Padubidri police, beat forester Akhilesh said Forest Department had planted saplings of ‘Hole Dasavala’, ‘May flower’, ‘Neerele’ and ‘Kakke’ by the side of National Highway 66 in June 2023. While on the beat duty on March 18, he noticed that 42 trees had been uprooted by removing the grill shield and board of the department displayed around each tree/plant.

On inquiry, it was found that trees were removed by businessman Roshan using an earth mover. These trees of height ranging between 5 ft. and 10 ft. were removed as they were blocking visibility of three roadside hoardings belonging to Roshan, Mr. Akhilesh said.

The Padubidri police registered the compliant of Mr. Akhilesh on March 20 for offences punishable under Sections 324(3) and 324 (4) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 2 of Karnataka Prevention of Destruction and Loss of Property Act 1981.

A seperate forest offence case has been registered by the Forest Department against Mr. Roshan, Mr. Akhilesh said.