Citizens hold symbolic funeral for felled trees near KBR Park

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

In a unique environmental protest on World Environment Day, citizens and environmental activists on Friday held a symbolic funeral for hundreds of trees felled around KBR National Park before the Supreme Court reinforced a stay on tree cutting on May 18, 2026.

The participants said the event was organized to mourn the loss of trees allegedly cut down for the H-CITI project despite a 2021 High Court interim order staying tree felling around the national park. The felling reportedly continued until the Supreme Court reiterated the stay last month.

In a symbolic ceremony, mourners dressed in white watched as a funeral pyre representing the felled trees was prepared. Six participants carried a symbolic bier from the main entrance of KBR National Park to the Cancer Hospital junction.

Accompanied by Telugu folk songs sung by dappu artists, the procession culminated in a symbolic burial of a tree. The tree was later ceremonially resurrected, with participants tying sacred threads around it as a symbol of protection and planting two saplings nearby to represent renewal and hope.

The programme concluded with a performance by artist Ramya Mylavarapu, who symbolically portrayed the healing of a dying tree by wrapping it in bandages and spraying medication.

Addressing the gathering, actor and social worker Poonam Kaur urged the government to balance development with environmental protection. Organiser Sreeja Reddy highlighted the impact of tree loss on wildlife habitats, while Save KBR campaign activist Vijay Mallangi called for public hearings and questioned the felling of trees within the Eco-Sensitive Zone without mandatory permissions.

Another volunteer, Teja, stressed the importance of preserving the Eco-Sensitive Zone to protect biodiversity and mitigate climate change. Raising the slogan “Flyovers Vaddu, KBR Muddu,” the protesters demanded an immediate halt to H-CITI works involving the proposed felling of 1,942 trees, warning of severe environmental consequences and questioning whether the project would effectively address traffic congestion.