Mangaluru : Residents and environmentalists have opposed the felling of trees in the wooded area of Karnataka Forest Industries Corporation for the proposed district office complex in Padil at the outskirts of the city.

Daniel Tauro and three others have filed a writ petition challenging the November 14, 2014 government order of handing over 5.89 acres of KSFIC land to the Revenue Department.

The petition is pending before a Division Bench. It is slated to come up for hearing after vacation, Mr. Tauro said. Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, Mr. Tauro, a local resident and member of National Environment Care Foundation, said as many 478 trees including sandalwood are present in the in area proposed for the district complex.

There are toddy cats (Beru), bats and local birds in this area. “We cannot damage this green area,” he said.

Mr. Tauro said this area, though not designated a deemed forest, has all the characteristics to be called one. The Supreme Court bars felling of trees in such areas. Questioning the order transferring the land from the KSFIC to the Revenue Department, Mr. Tauro said this was issued much before the Cabinet decision on construction of the district complex in April.

“This is illegal,” Mr. Tauro contended and added that no official order has been issued following the Cabinet’s decision. Activist Dinesh Pai said there was no need for a new district complex when a majority of the offices would be relocated to the mini Vidhana Soudha in Hampankatta, which is ready for inauguration.

Moreover, the present office of the Deputy Commissioner that was built in September 1994 is in a good condition. “By moving away to Padil, we fear the area which houses the offices at present would be handed over to private builders,” he said.

As many 478 trees including sandalwood and Wild animals like toddy cats (Beru), bats and local birds in this area. More than 5.89 acres green area and forest to be spoil in this project.