Kundapur: Unscientific tree felling for NH work results in death of young birds


Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Sep 10: Heart-rending scenes of young birds lying dead mark the stretch of national highway between Kundapur town and Honnavar, especially near Sangam.

Even as the widening work on national highway between the town and Suratkal is progressing at a snail's pace, the work of widening the stretch of national highway between the town and Honnavar has been initiated. But young crane chicks are doomed to death as trees are being cut down in an unscientific manner to pave way for road widening work.

It is observed that the contractors entrusted with the task of felling of trees have not been heeding to requests put forth by locals to save these birds.

The work of removing the trees, several of which were standing by the side of the highway since hundreds of years, has begun. Machines are being used to cut down trees on a large scale. But because of haphazard manner in which the operation has been undertaken, hundreds of crane chicks and young sea crows have lost their lives. Hundreds of more young birds have become shelter-less.

Over the last many years, these cranes and sea crows have set up their nests in these trees during the month of May every year, and then give birth to young ones. By the end of September, these young birds fly away after their wings muster enough strength. As these trees were cut down without any advance information, many young birds were destined to die, while others have been rendered homeless. The locals claim that the young birds would have survived if the operation to cut trees had been postponed by two weeks.

When one of the contractors, Uday Shetty, was contacted, he claimed that they have been given deadline for the felling of trees and that it is beyond the control of the contractors to postpone the operation. He said the concerned need to take up the issue with National Highways Authority of India officials.

There are no two opinions on the need to cut down trees for achieving overall development of an area. At the same time, the concerned should understand that the highway does not become widened the moment trees are removed. A wait of two weeks would in no way have affected the road widening work which takes years to materialize, opined a local environmentalist, Vittal Kanchan.

  

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Comment on this article

  • JNB, Bejai

    Fri, Sep 12 2014

    Did you asked any plant before? it pains to it?
    there are people brainless but they too get pain when animals are slaughtered !!!!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Animal lover, Kasargod

    Fri, Sep 12 2014

    Since the contractor was informed he should have immediately held on to the work & as if his own family members life were at stake. But he decided to go ahead without any sympathy.. He should be taken to task and enquiry should be done and punished severely for loss of lives..how can we keep quiet for his casual money minded approach..just because he was taking lives of animals he is getting away, what if it was so many humans, would he still get away..

    DisAgree [2] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Louis Maxim, Udupi/Kuwait

    Fri, Sep 12 2014

    This operation could have been postponed for Two weeks. Killing young birds, it's so sad to see the pictures.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jeevan, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Mr.Santhosh Dont comment like a child. Just see the way the poor creatures die.
    If you are not a animal lover its ok, but dont comment anything rubbish.

    DisAgree Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santosh, Abu Dhabi

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    As these trees were cut down without any advance information, many young birds were destined to die, while others have been rendered homeless.

    I wish the birds could have been informed !!!

    DisAgree [50] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Animal lover, Udupi

    Thu, Sep 11 2014

    Mr. Santhosh,

    What a great comment, you please stay in Abu Dhabi itself, we don't want such sadists here in India.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Naveen, Bangalore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Hi,

    Can anyone identify the birds in the pictures. Seem like pond herons.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Stany D'sa, Balehonnur/Dubai

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Local residents must inform the
    DFO and send SOS fax to State Forest minister. Urgently local residents can join hands and bring stay order. Killing wild animals and birds are punishable act. The culprits should be arrested. It is strange the forest department is sleeping on this matter. Sorry to say in India anything can happen !

    DisAgree [3] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter, Brahmavar/Sharjah

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Voice in the wilderness. Great comment and concern by Mr. Shahsi Shetty Santhoor and all nature and birds loving people. Other side thousands of children, Women, innocent people slaughtering in some middle east countries still no voice from the world or sincere efforts to stop the human massacre.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sudeer, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Development at the cost of natural habitat. Is this really "Development". Here Development=Disaster by authority.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Norbert, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014



    Pramodh, Kundapur,

    Why only the cows and what about other animals being slaughtered for food ?

    A small thing has been blown out of proportion. Media has to cover something and there some activists (animal Right, Ecology..) to make a big hue & cry.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Pramod, Kundapura

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Nothing is being done for cow slaughter then why to save the birds?

    DisAgree [30] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • kumar, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Why forest department is silent

    DisAgree [2] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • HASHIM, Kundapura

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Nafrat ki duniya ko chod ke pyar ki duniya may kush rehna mere yar......Ek janwar ki jaan aaj insanoo ne li he? chup he kyoon sansar? really in human act..insaniyat qatham ho gayi he hum may,hum janwar se bi bhattar ho gaye he.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jaimini P.B., Manipal,Sharjah

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Gharbadalli iruva magu hennu antha gottadre kittu bisaaduva naavu, ee pakshigalannu jivisalu biduttevaa ? idyava lekka..namage duddu/antastu/soukarya beku ashte..

    Manukulada Antya Aaramba aagide..

    DisAgree Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Malathi Devi, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Very sad. These birds should have been saved because each worm in this earth is needed for the balance the earth. Now what is the use by uploading these pics......

    DisAgree [1] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jayanath, Bangalore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    There is a forest department with wildlife division with highly paid and bribed IFS and KFS officers, and also Rana s/o HM is in wildlife board. Aren't they supposed to take care of this ?
    Hope Forest Minister being from mangalore reads Daiji

    DisAgree [2] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shashi Shetty, Santhoor

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Our Forest were safe for thosands of years under Tribals and was destroyed in last 60years under the control of Forest department,

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • John, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    So called "development" at the expense of poor creatures who are helping us in many ways. These birds are cleaning the rivers and ponds without our knowledge. After few years we start complaining of pollution of rivers...... Who is responsible?
    Humans want the supremacy on the earth. But nature has its own ways. Only time will tell who is supreme!

    DisAgree [3] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Well wisher, Udupi

    Thu, Sep 11 2014

    Shashi,
    The damage is done, people are not realising the dangers of deforestation, it has already started tAking its toll, poor next generation are the real sufferers, everyone wants money, buildings and marks, they have lost the capacity to think we cannot live without trees.



    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Antonio D'Silva, Kuwait

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    If humans can take a fetus out of it's womb and toss it in a dustbin then the scourge depicted in these pictures is expected.

    The flora and fauna that we see around us are all part of a big food chain however the consumption is not as obvious and destructive as the unjustified and unnecessary destruction brought about by man and illustrated so vividly through these pictures.

    Man's greed brings him closer to destroying the very earth that lets him live yet blinded by greed he continues to bring down the very flora adn fauna that supports his every breath.

    We say we live and work for our children's future, do we stop for a second to ponder on what future and how long a future?

    DisAgree [2] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prakash, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    It is tragic no doubt that these birds have lost their nesting spots.
    But life is such. To make an omelet you have to first crack a few eggs!
    Development requires some hard decisions. It is common knowledge that humans too have on occasion lost their dwellings on account of changes in the name of development.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Normbert, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014


    Lydia Madam,

    What happened here is not a deliberate killing of birds or destroying their nests. When the developments such as road widening or Industrial projects, take place where the contractors have time to look into such aspects. There are people who hunt birds for sport and consume their meat. That is cruelty.
    If you are so concerned or an animal lover, stop eating meat. (Chicken, lamb, Beef, Pork etc. and in any form)

    DisAgree [20] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lydia Lobo, Kadri

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Norbert,

    I searched for Cranes and Sea Gulls too you listed I to be eating ! Man grows his food, veg as well as non-veg. If you find non-vegetarians to be cruel, vegetarians don't eat what a plant sheds but pluck them from the plants for food. It equally hurts a brinjal plant or chilly plant when its produce is plucked. Including, when the milk is sucked out of the kernel of a cow. Just because it hurts chickens, goats, pigs, veg-plants, fruit trees, does this mean that man should not starve ?

    Therefore, please keep your cruelty towards animals while non-vegetarians kill animals lecture to yourself.

    However, people are killed elsewhere are for supremacy, not for charity. You can't compare a war, famine, avalanche, flood, etc., to what these contractors have done - this is done for money, not out of love towards anybody !

    DisAgree [13] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Animal lover, Udupi

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Ms. Lydia,
    To feel pain one needs brain. I don't think plant have brains,veg food is the healthiest.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shashi Shetty, Santhoor

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    It is not about Food chain this article is talking about. it is about lack of common sence and sense of reasoning. Had contractor along with the villagers as well as the environmentalist have explained the concerned govt. department that, there are birds nests in all the trees and it is breeding season due to which they must be allowed to cut the trees after 3 to 4 weeks I think any right thinking govt officers would have accepted it. This was unnecessary mass killing which could have been avoided. even a hardcore meat eaters equally love their animals and slaughter only ones needed to be eaten, rest of them he shall take care well with the basic needs what animals need food water, shelter and little bit of love. you are connecting 2 different things and taking the debate away from the actual subject.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwyn, mlore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    most appropriate comments
    mr.shashi ..
    wrong perception that meat lovers don't love animals..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • shagird, mangalore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    man is the most intelligent, cruel & selfish creation of god.at least when they see one or two bird chicks fallen down they should have thought of taking up some measures to save these birds.In place of these dead birds just imagine if it were human babies how would be the scenario,... sad

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nancy, Belman

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Allwyn, It is clearly written that cutting of trees could have been postponed to 2-3 weeks.

    In future when road widening happens and your house comes in between will you allow or protest? or you will ask compensation because you know how to fight, talk but not these poor birds/animals. Please try to understand the situation.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • sid, mangalore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    very sad pictures . The forest department is for name sake ! sleeping in their respective sheds

    DisAgree [3] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Samson Rebello, Kallianpur / Dubai

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Very sad to note if 2 weeks postpone would have been saved many birds life and not planned accordingly.

    But some peoples view of felling old trees, i don't understand. These people ever traveled from Kundapur to Byndoor/Sreerooru recent time? Its wrong to call it a road the potholes are so big even truck/bus excels are hit to ground.

    One side we cry for good roads same time we cry for felling the trees. Mangalore Kundapur highway disaster another story.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vikram, Dubai

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    This is real cruelty...it shows humanity is applicable only for humans no other creatures !!!

    DisAgree [3] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • WASIM, UDUPI/DUBAI

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    VERY SAD....THESE ARE INNOCENT BIRDS LIKE ANANT KUMAR AFTER BEING SCREWED BY AMIT.............

    DisAgree [5] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Dear Contractor, Uday Shettre, if you know little bit about nature too apart from Engineering and Commercial Knowledge, I am sure you could not have done this. Had you written few beautiful words showing your concern for these birds by seeking extension of time till September end, I am sure NHAI would have agreed with your concerns. After all no Construction activities all over the World never completes in time

    DisAgree [2] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jaimini P.B., Manipal,Sharjah

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    O ..Devere..Manushatva Illada janaru naavu...

    DisAgree [4] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Norbert, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014



    Making a mountain out of a molehill.
    Just look around (all over the world) how human beings are butchered and women are ill-treated, raped and tortured mercilessly in the country ?

    Raise your voices against that first.

    DisAgree [25] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lydia Lobo, Kadri

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Norbert,

    Its because of selfish motives such as you suggest, someday there will be only human being on the world. There will be no birds, animals, trees, flowers or bees. There will be no rain hence, no water, no vegetation and the air will be so polluted. Then, man will kill another man not supremacy but for food.

    Common gentleman, birds and trees too deserve to live like we humans do. They should not be butchered like we humans kill each other for proving to be the fittest !

    DisAgree [8] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Elder Son of Shah Jahan, Dara Shikoh’s forces was defeated by Aurangzeb and Aurangzeb took his own father Shah Jahan as prisoner. History says Shah Jahan was used to say always that look at the Hindu Culture, they remember their parents and forefathers even after their death by observing one special day in a Year in their name and Shah Jahan said look at my son Aurangzeb….he put his own father in the jail…… So, Dear Norbert, human beings are butchered and women are ill-treated, raped and tortured mercilessly in many Countries for sure but not in our beautiful India. No doubt few incidents happens in our Country too but not at mass

    DisAgree [13] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Krishna, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Shettare nice comment-for sure but not in our beautiful India. No doubt few incidents happens in our Country too but not at mass-height of Double standard. ADIKE KADDARU KALLA AANE KADDARU KALLA.....
    Like Jaitley said small incidents of Rapes are taking place in Delhi......He will know the pain, if his family members are gang raped...Hypocrites..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramesh Prabhu, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Is the minister for ecology alive?

    DisAgree [2] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ronald D, Udupi

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    They should have been careful and saved humble birds. Happened is gone can we expect speedy work and early completion of NH. BJP has no excuse now since they are in power. Show your power on NH work completion now!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nancy, Belman

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Cruel people....Who knows how God will punish those heartless culprits????

    DisAgree [8] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lawrence, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    When Human life has no value in India with hundreds of people dying on NHAI where will the NHAI have value for Birds and Animals . If this season was a breeding season for Birds they should have waited till these birds grow and progressed on work in other places where trees were not there. Later could have taken up the work in this area .

    DisAgree [2] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vasant Raj, Mangalore / Abudhabi

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Very very sad, what cruel we humans are...

    DisAgree [4] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, M'lore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    'Naanu Panjarada Pakshi
    Innu Nanagaaru Gathi...
    Kela Bayasuvirenu Yena Katheya....
    ( My eyes used to get moist
    when stuying those lines then..)
    Now this 'plight' of 'Free Birds'....What a contrast!!.
    Play too much with and take Nature for 'granted' -then be ready to face the consequences.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwyn, mlore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    if you want wider roads and smooth ride, cutting down trees is inevitable,
    happy to see sympathy & concern for nature, it hurts to see the huge trees falling but, lets find some other options for preserving forests..
    biggest deforestation happens from illegal logging of trees, can we stop it?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lydia Lobo, Kadri

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    How can human beings be so cruel ? First of all, felling trees so old - secondly being so merciless to these mute creatures ? Development, modern roads, at this cost ?

    Are we talking of echo-balance ? Nonsense !

    DisAgree [11] Agree [57] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwyn, mlore

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    can you please suggest any other alternate for widening of roads?

    DisAgree [6] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lydia Lobo, Kadri

    Wed, Sep 10 2014

    Alwyn,

    You need to travel out of Mangalore, Karnataka and then India to see how road network is built without causing any disturbance to ecology, without causing any damage to existing monument/land marks. A bridge is not a dirty concrete lump as we see in Mangalore (Kuntikan, B.C.Road) but it can be beautiful high platform laid on thin pillars at calculative distance (i.e. as in Bangalore). In Mumbai huge roads pass beside huge trees. If that is possible, why trees at Saibeen Junction or Valencia road needed to be chopped off ?

    Frogs say the well they are in itself is an ocean. Our builders and contractors need to think beyond monitory gain and our authorities beyond commission percentage if we are to maintain ecological balance.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Common Sense, Mangalore

    Thu, Sep 11 2014

    I definately agree with this, there is always an alternative, there is always a better way for everything, but we Indians are just too damn lazy to think about it, everyone wants the easy way..!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Report Abuse


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Title: Kundapur: Unscientific tree felling for NH work results in death of young birds



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