Sat Apr 19 06:04:08 UTC 2025: ## Mysuru Residents Hold Candlelight Vigil to Protest Felling of 40 Trees

**Mysuru, Karnataka, April 19, 2025** – Hundreds of Mysuru residents participated in a candlelight vigil on Friday evening to protest the felling of 40 mature trees on Hyder Ali Road. The demonstration, organized by the Save Environment Action Committee (SEAC), drew participants from all walks of life who gathered to mourn the loss of the trees and express solidarity with environmental activists.

Many attendees wore black bands and held placards, while others performed rituals at the tree stumps. The event also saw significant social media engagement, with participants sharing photos and videos of the vigil.

SEAC convenor Parashurame Gowda administered an oath to the assembled crowd, pledging to protect the environment. The protest was further highlighted by the presence of Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and Krishnaraja MLA T.S. Srivatsa, who condemned the tree felling.

However, the presence of the elected officials drew criticism from SEAC member Kamal Gopinath, president of the Mysuru chapter of the People’s Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL). Gopinath stated that SEAC had intentionally not invited any elected representatives, holding them responsible for the incident. He expressed disapproval of what he termed as a “cheap effort at securing political mileage” by the MLA and MP due to their supporters’ sloganeering. The absence of the area’s MLA, Tanveer Sait, was also questioned by writer and theatre person Preethi Nagaraj.

Despite this controversy, the vigil was largely characterized by peaceful protest and widespread public concern over the loss of green space in the city.

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