Bangalore University (BU) has rejected allegations about infrastructure development activities being undertaken under the PM-USHA scheme, causing harm to the environment.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Jayakara S.M., Vice-Chancellor, BU, said, “The university is strictly following all government regulations legally and scientifically during the construction of the new academic and research buildings.”
He further said that the university is an academic space, not a public ground. “We will not tolerate any form of coercion by outsiders. So far, we have remained silent, but we will discuss the issue concerning the Walkers’ Association in the upcoming Syndicate meeting and initiate legal action. No protests or rallies will be permitted on the campus, and this has been brought to the attention of the police for appropriate action and preventive measures,” he said.
Further, he claimed that a committee of university experts has identified a suitable location for the construction of academic and research buildings, and that the selected site has fewer trees and is deemed appropriate from both academic and scientific perspectives.
He also said that the university campus spans over 1,200 acres, and Bangalore University has already planted over six lakh trees at Jnanabharathi, creating a mini forest.
“The ongoing construction is not taking place in any biodiversity park, nor does it involve traditional or heritage trees. The area designated for construction primarily consists of Eucalyptus and Acacia tree species not classified as rare or endangered. Out of the total 419 trees, only 282 may be affected by the construction. Among them, 169 are eucalyptus trees. The remaining 137 trees, located in the buffer zone, will be preserved. Smaller trees will be carefully transplanted to nearby areas,” he added.
Jnanabharathi Vayuviharigala Sangha had recently submitted a petition to the Governor of Karnataka against the project.
Published – June 27, 2025 10:35 pm IST
