It's 'Save KBR', both offline and online

HYDERABAD: A strong citizens' movement is gathering steam, with scores of Hyderabadis joining hands to save the lush green cover of the city's iconic KBR Park. In addition to hitting the streets with banners and placards, several denizens on Thursday were seen taking to multiple social media platforms to express their agony over the state government's decision to 'hack the city's lungs' and to appeal to people to come together and help preserve the fast depleting green cover.
While #savekbrtree and #saveKBRpark were found trending on Twitter, Facebook was flooded with posts and videos from green activists trying to create awareness about the issue among users.Green enthusiasts were also seen standing outside the park entrance from as early as 6 in the morning on Thursday to inform joggers and walkers about the upcoming felling of trees.
"We are focused on trying to spread the message to as many Hyderabadis as possible. On Sunday, for instance, a group of volunteers will participate in an 'awareness march' along the entire length of KBR Park from 6 am," said Viiveck Verma, a member of the managing committee of Society for Advancement of Human Endeavour (SAHE).
"We are also using every medium available to create awareness," he added. Verma, along with a few other volunteers, has created a video - that's gone viral - with a message urging citizens to stand up to protect the endangered park.
Verma's calls for civic ac tivism were echoed by many social media users. "Saving trees means saving many lives of planet Earth. No urging or argument is needed, now we need activism," wrote Narsanna Koppula on his Facebook page.
Urging fellow Hyderabadis to come together for the cause, Farhan Sumbul wrote on Twitter, "Hyderabadis need to strongly oppose govt's move to shave KBR Park. Who will provide clean air, skyways??" Several social media users also urged users to sign petitions that have been created on the website change.org, requesting Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) authorities to 'Save the trees in KBR park'. One such petition has already recorded more than 3,986 supporters.
While 'welcoming' a people's movement of such magnitude, members of the tree protection committee maintained that they would announce their stand only after discussions with GHMC and forest department officials in the first week of May.
"Since our attempts to bargain with the authorities for realignment have failed to take shape, we have now decided to study the entire SRDP (Strategic Road Development Project) plans and designs before reaching any conclusions," said Farida Tampal, member of the committee, while adding that many species of trees around KBR park were unfit for translocation.
Many denizens, how ever, are disappointed with the committee's inaction."As the name suggests, the tree protection committee must focus on preserving the minimal green cover that Hyderabad is left with.Instead of declaring several trees unfit for translocation, members of the committee should at least urge authorities to explore the process on an experimental basis and give the trees a chance to survive," said Uma Chilak, a member of the Hyderabad chapter of Robin Hood Army.