City nature lovers decry cutting down of trees for Formula E track

Hyderabad: On Sunday morning, Tejah Balantrapu, a member of Save Chevella Banyans, was driving in Khairatabad when he suddenly noticed that the road median and the soil that was holding the many trees along the road had been removed. The trees had been cut down to make way for the Formula E track on the Secretariat-Khairatabad road.

"It was such a lovely stretch. In March, it would be a river with banks of gold," said Natasha Ramanatham, a member of Save Chevella Banyans and a nature lover.

The row of Tabebuia Aurea trees, also known as trees of gold, flower from January to March. The flowers are bright yellow.

"The cutting down of trees and branches happened over the weekend. By the time I reached there, nearly 25% of the trees were already cut down. We're not even sure if the trees are being translocated to another spot," she added.

Natasha said the damage is already done.

"We don't know who to contact to raise this issue. There needs to be a Tree Protection Committee in the state to assess the situation and see if a few trees can be translocated. However, there is no such committee," Natasha said.

She further stated that these trees grow slowly and while they seem like young trees, they are well over 20 years old.

Tejah added, "It isn't just trees of gold but several other trees like Saptaparni in other adjacent lanes have been removed to make way for the race track."

Trees have been removed in lanes leading to Necklace Road and Mint compound as well.

"It is ironic that trees are being removed for a 'clean' race," Tejah said.

The Formula E race

The Formula E race is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from 10 to 13 February.

The Formula E Prix race will be held on a 2.37 km track around Hussain Sagar Lake. The circuit will cover the Secretariat Complex and go through Lumbini Park as a loop.

Formula E is an electric-powered single-seater championship that started in 2014 and was granted World Championship status by the FIA during the seventh season in 2020-21. Unlike Formula One, which is hosted in purpose-built circuits, Formula E, also known as E-Prix, races are held on the street circuits, promoting electric mobility and racing to the fans.

With this, Hyderabad will become the only city in India and one among the 13 cities across the globe to be hosting Formula E racing.

Unlike Formula 1 where cars are powered by fossil fuel, all racing cars will be electric-powered in Formula E.