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 Hasiru Usiru

Known and recognised as the Garden City, a positive distinction of the rare kind, Bengaluru’s landscape is defined seasonally by the blooms in its tree lined corridors. Unfortunately, the fast changing dynamics within the city along with a burgeoning population and unplanned ‘development’ has led to the often illogical and ruthless removal of these trees. Hasiru Usiru (HU), a network of concerned citizens, has over the years endeavored to work towards finding creative means in which to conserve this identity of the city.

The group has evolved from a loose informal group to one which is now recognised and appreciated for its interest in different aspects of the city’s environment and social justice concerns.

The Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka decided on a PIL filed by Environment Support Group in 2005 (WP No. 14104/2005 (GM-PIL) against such indiscriminate tree felling, that all decisions relating to protection of trees or according permission to fell them would be per the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act. The judgement also vitally recognised the positive involvement and deep concerns of the public in such processes and highlighted that the Hasiru Usiru network should be involved by the government in all its decisions on projects where trees were to be felled.

As part of the Hasiru Usiru network hundreds of groups and individuals have come together to voice concerns over the careless felling of trees and irrational approaches adopted in executing traffic management and decongestion programmes in Bengaluru. This effort has been going on for three years now. As part of this process HU have been systematically following up with every initiative of the Government and its various agencies, to ensure that Bangalore's true heritage, its tree lined streets aren't sacrificed due to short sighted planning and execution of works, and in responding to the demands of vested interests.

The people behind Hasiru Usiru are: