In a landmark decision on May 21, 2025, the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) approved a council resolution to impose a ₹2,000 fine on individuals and contractors who fail to deconcretise the bases of trees, a practice that suffocates roots and threatens urban greenery. This move, spurred by a series of exposés highlighting the damage caused by concretisation, marks a significant step in Mysuru’s journey to preserve its reputation as Karnataka’s greenest city. Prompted by a letter from the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) and backed by environmental activists and the National Green Tribunal, the MCC’s initiative targets eight major roads and sets a precedent for urban environmental governance across India. This blog explores the context of the MCC’s decision, the environmental and cultural significance of Mysuru’s trees, the challenges of deconcretisation, and the broader implications for sustainable urban planning.
The Problem: Concretisation and Its Threat to Trees
Mysuru, often called the “City of Palaces,” is equally renowned for its lush tree-lined avenues, which provide shade, improve air quality, and enhance the city’s aesthetic appeal. However, rapid urbanisation and civic projects have led to a troubling trend: the concretisation of tree bases. During road construction, footpath development, or private projects, contractors often pour concrete around tree trunks, sealing the soil and preventing water and nutrients from reaching the roots. This practice, driven by convenience or ignorance, suffocates trees, weakens their stability, and increases the risk of uprooting during storms. Over time, concretised trees suffer stunted growth, reduced lifespan, and diminished ecological benefits.
The issue gained prominence in Mysuru following a May 12, 2025, report that exposed the extent of concretisation on major roads, including Hyder Ali Road, MG Road, and Devaraj Urs Road. The report prompted swift action from K.N. Basavaraju, DCF of Mysuru’s territorial division, who wrote to MCC Commissioner Shaikh Tanveer Asif on May 17, urging immediate measures to deconcretise trees on eight surveyed roads. The DCF’s letter emphasized the need for at least one square meter of permeable soil around each tree to ensure root nourishment, a standard endorsed by environmental guidelines. The MCC’s response, backed by the National Green Tribunal’s directives, reflects a growing recognition of the need to protect urban flora in the face of development pressures.
The MCC’s Decision: Fines and Accountability
The MCC’s council meeting on May 21, 2025, was a turning point for Mysuru’s environmental policy. The resolution to impose a ₹2,000 fine for failing to deconcretise tree bases was unanimously approved, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to violations. The fine applies to contractors, property owners, and civic agencies involved in construction projects that encroach on tree percolation spaces. To enforce compliance, the MCC introduced a new clause in work orders, mandating contractors to leave adequate soil space around trees during civil projects. Violators face not only monetary penalties but also directives to rectify the damage by removing concrete and restoring permeable soil.
Commissioner Asif, addressing the media, underscored the council’s commitment to protecting Mysuru’s green cover. “Trees are the lungs of our city. We cannot allow civic works to harm them,” he said, citing the Green Tribunal’s guidelines and public outcry as catalysts for the decision. The MCC has already initiated deconcretisation on major roads, with teams removing concrete from tree bases and replacing it with soil or permeable materials. The eight roads identified by the Forest Department—spanning commercial and residential areas—are the first phase of a broader campaign to restore the health of Mysuru’s urban forest.
Environmental and Cultural Significance of Mysuru’s Trees
Mysuru’s trees are more than just ecological assets; they are woven into the city’s cultural and historical fabric. Species like Peltophorum, neem, banyan, and peepal line roads like Sayyaji Rao Road and Krishnaraja Boulevard, offering shade to commuters and supporting biodiversity. These trees host birds, insects, and small mammals, contributing to a balanced urban ecosystem. Their canopies reduce heat islands, absorb carbon dioxide, and mitigate air pollution, critical in a city experiencing rapid population growth and vehicle density.
Culturally, trees hold a special place in Mysuru’s identity. The city’s annual Dasara festival, heritage walks, and tourism campaigns often highlight its green avenues, attracting visitors who associate Mysuru with serenity and natural beauty. However, recent controversies, such as the MCC’s decision to cut 40 Peltophorum trees on Hyder Ali Road for road widening in April 2025, sparked protests from environmentalists, who argued that such actions undermine Mysuru’s green legacy. The deconcretisation initiative, in contrast, signals a shift toward preservation, aligning with the city’s heritage as a model of sustainable urban living.
The Challenges of Deconcretisation
While the MCC’s decision is a step forward, implementing deconcretisation poses significant challenges. First, the process is labor-intensive and costly. Removing concrete from tree bases requires skilled workers, specialized equipment, and careful execution to avoid damaging roots. In Delhi, the Municipal Corporation deconcretised 24,000 tree locations by November 2024, a massive undertaking that required coordination across agencies. Mysuru’s smaller scale—focusing initially on eight roads—still demands substantial resources, which the MCC must balance against other civic priorities like waste management and infrastructure upgrades.
Second, enforcement is a hurdle. Contractors, often under pressure to complete projects quickly, may resist deconcretisation mandates, viewing them as delays or added costs. The ₹2,000 fine, while significant for individual violators, may not deter large construction firms unless accompanied by strict monitoring. The MCC’s plan to integrate tree protection clauses into work orders is promising, but it requires robust oversight to ensure compliance. Activists have called for regular inspections and public reporting mechanisms to hold contractors accountable.
Third, public awareness is critical. Many residents and small-scale builders are unaware of the harm caused by concretisation, viewing it as a harmless byproduct of development. The MCC must invest in education campaigns, leveraging social media, local media, and community groups to spread the message. Posts on platforms like X have already amplified the issue, with users praising the MCC’s move while urging faster implementation. One post called the fines “a game-changer for Mysuru’s trees,” reflecting growing public support.
Broader Context: Urban Greenery and Policy Shifts
The MCC’s initiative is part of a larger movement to protect urban greenery across India, driven by environmental activism, judicial interventions, and media scrutiny. In Bengaluru, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has faced criticism for allowing concretisation during road projects, prompting calls for similar penalties. A 2024 BBMP report highlighted the loss of green cover due to piecemeal infrastructure projects, echoing Mysuru’s challenges. The National Green Tribunal has been instrumental in pushing cities to adopt tree-friendly policies, with directives in 2023 mandating permeable spaces around urban trees.
Delhi’s deconcretisation drive, clearing 24,000 locations, offers a model for Mysuru. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s success stemmed from court oversight and public pressure, suggesting that Mysuru could benefit from similar accountability mechanisms. Other Karnataka cities, like Mangaluru, have focused on civic reforms—such as waste management and illegal water connection crackdowns—but Mysuru’s tree protection policy positions it as a leader in urban environmental governance.
The MCC’s decision also aligns with Karnataka’s broader environmental priorities. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s 2024 announcement mandating Kannada flag hoisting on Karnataka Rajyotsava day included calls for sustainable development, reflecting the state’s commitment to balancing growth with ecological preservation. Mysuru’s deconcretisation drive could inspire other corporations, such as the Mangaluru City Corporation, to adopt similar measures.
Social and Political Reactions
The MCC’s decision has sparked a wave of reactions, both locally and online. Environmental activists, who have long campaigned against tree felling and concretisation, hailed the move as a victory. Groups like Civic Action Mysuru, which protested the Hyder Ali Road tree cutting, have pledged to monitor the deconcretisation process, ensuring that fines are enforced and roads are restored. Social media posts reflect public enthusiasm, with one user noting, “Mysuru is showing the way for green cities in India. Let’s make this a movement!” Others emphasized the need for transparency, urging the MCC to publish a list of violators and deconcretised sites.
Politically, the decision has bolstered the Congress-led MCC’s image as an environmentally conscious administration, especially after criticism over the Hyder Ali Road controversy. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, addressing a separate environmental issue in Bengaluru, praised Mysuru’s proactive stance, signaling state-level support. However, opposition parties, including the BJP, may scrutinize the MCC’s implementation, particularly if costs or delays arise. The council’s unanimous approval suggests bipartisan backing, but sustained political will is needed to overcome logistical challenges.
Economic and Ecological Impacts
Economically, the deconcretisation initiative requires investment in labor, materials, and monitoring, but the long-term benefits outweigh the costs. Healthy trees reduce urban heat, lower energy consumption for cooling, and enhance property values in green neighborhoods. A 2023 study by the Indian Institute of Science estimated that Bengaluru’s tree cover saves ₹500 crore annually in ecosystem services, a figure Mysuru could emulate with robust preservation policies. The ₹2,000 fine also generates revenue, which the MCC could reinvest into tree planting or maintenance.
Ecologically, deconcretisation restores soil health, allowing trees to absorb water and nutrients effectively. This strengthens their resilience against droughts and storms, critical in a region prone to erratic monsoons. By prioritizing eight major roads, the MCC is addressing high-traffic areas where trees face the greatest stress, setting the stage for citywide expansion. The initiative also supports biodiversity, as permeable soil encourages microbial activity and supports urban wildlife.
Challenges and Opportunities for the Future
Looking ahead, the MCC faces the task of scaling the deconcretisation program while addressing resistance from contractors and residents. A phased approach—starting with major roads and expanding to residential areas—could manage costs and build public support. Partnerships with environmental NGOs, schools, and corporate sponsors could fund tree care and awareness campaigns, turning deconcretisation into a community-driven movement.
Technology offers opportunities to enhance the initiative. The MCC could develop an app, similar to the NHAI’s Toll Information System, to report concretised trees and track deconcretisation progress. Drones or GIS mapping could identify affected trees across Mysuru, streamlining surveys. Such innovations would align with Karnataka’s tech-savvy reputation, positioning Mysuru as a smart, green city.
The MCC’s fines also set a precedent for other urban issues. For example, Mangaluru’s 2019 rainwater harvesting penalties, which increased water bills for non-compliance, show how financial incentives can drive behavioral change. Mysuru could explore similar penalties for illegal tree cutting or waste dumping, strengthening its environmental framework.
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