Trees axed for ad board visibility? Whitefield’s Nexus Mall faces heat

Residents accuse Nexus Mall staff of illegally chopping trees overnight to make an LED advertisement board visible, sparking outrage among environmentalists in Whitefield.

Bengaluru’s Whitefield area is witnessing growing outrage after residents accused the Nexus Mall of illegally cutting roadside trees to make its LED advertisement board visible. Locals allege that several 15-year-old trees, including bilvapatre (bael), tamarind, neem, and jamun, were chopped overnight by the mall’s staff.

According to reports, the mall had recently installed a large LED advertisement board inside its compound, which was allegedly blocked by tall trees along the roadside. Locals claim the trees were axed without any official permission, simply because they obstructed the view of the hoarding.

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Eyewitnesses told that four to five trees along the busy road were illegally cut late at night, and when questioned, the mall’s staff allegedly said the work was done on GBA’s instructions. However, when the GBA and Forest Department officials were contacted, they stated that no such permission had been granted and that the act was not in their notice.

The move has triggered strong backlash from environmental activists and residents, who say the trees played a vital role in improving air quality and reducing noise pollution in the high-traffic zone.

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In a symbolic protest, locals performed a mock funeral for the felled trees and offered treatment to the damaged trunks of partially cut ones. Environmentalists have now demanded strict action against the mall authorities and accountability from civic agencies.

Residents said, “These trees gave us clean air. Chopping them down for a billboard is shameful.”