Mysuru: Candlelight vigil, sapling rituals planned after 40 trees axed on Hyder Ali Road
Mysuru: Environmental activists in Mysuru have launched a protest campaign after nearly 40 fully-grown trees were felled along Hyder Ali Road. The felling has triggered criticism from environmental groups, who alleged that the operation was carried out without proper public consultation or adherence to legal procedures.
More than 110 individuals representing 12 organisations, including Parisara Balaga, Mysore Grahakara Parishat, People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) – Mysuru unit, Team Mysuru Foundation, and Let’s Do It Mysuru, convened an emergency meeting at Cheluvamba Park on Monday. The group pledged to intensify efforts to protect the city’s green cover and formed a joint Struggle Committee to coordinate future actions.
As part of the protest, a candlelight vigil has been scheduled for April 18 along the stretch of road where the trees were removed. Additionally, the activists announced plans to hold symbolic "11th-day death rituals" for the trees by planting saplings at the same locations to honour the lives lost.
"Trees are living beings. Their loss must be mourned, and we must make people aware of the damage caused by such acts," said Parashurame Gowda of Parisara Balaga during the meeting.
Activists accused the Forest Department of failing to conduct a mandatory public hearing before allowing the felling. They claimed the authorities bypassed regulations by axing fewer than 50 trees at a time, thereby avoiding the requirement for public consultation under the law. Some speakers alleged that trees are often marked for removal in batches of 47 or 48 to sidestep legal scrutiny, even when a larger number is involved.
"There appears to be a clear understanding between the Forest Department, Public Works Department, and timber traders. This practice of staged tree-felling must be exposed and stopped," said one of the protestors.
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China tests new Hydrogen bomb without nuclear fusion
Beijing: China has reportedly tested a new kind of explosive device that uses hydrogen but does not involve any nuclear materials. This new weapon was developed by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). It works differently from traditional hydrogen bombs, which rely on nuclear fusion. Instead, this device uses a chemical reaction with a substance called magnesium hydride. The explosion creates a powerful fireball that gives off extreme heat for a longer time, reported Economic Times.
The explosive weighs only 2 kilograms and uses a unique method to create a powerful blast. Magnesium hydride, which stores hydrogen at high densities, breaks down quickly when triggered by a normal explosive. This releases hydrogen gas, which then mixes with air and catches fire. The result is a fireball with temperatures above 1,000°C much hotter than regular explosives like TNT.
Quoting Wang Xuefeng, a top scientist at the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), The Economic Times reported that hydrogen explosions require very little energy to ignite and can spread rapidly. Wang explained that such fires possess the intensity to burn through strong materials, including aluminium alloys. Due to its precision and destructive power, the device could be highly effective in targeted military strikes.
During a field test, the explosive showed a peak pressure of 428.43 kilopascals at a distance of two meters. This is around 40% of the pressure made by TNT. But the real strength of this device lies in the heat it produces. While most explosives create a quick shockwave, this one keeps burning at very high temperatures for more than two seconds.
This long-lasting heat could make the explosive useful for hitting specific military targets, such as power plants or communication centers. It could also be used to block enemy forces by burning roads or transport routes, making them unusable.
