‘BCC least bothered about green cover’

‘BCC least bothered about green cover’
The Times of India

Bangalore: Chairman of the task force for restoration of the city’s green cover, A.N. Yellappa Reddy, has hit back at the BCC for not looking into the recommendations of the Tree Committee. The recommendations, which were put forth following rampant destruction of trees due to heavy rain last year, has never been acknowledged so far, he said lashing out at the BCC for its alleged indifference in the matter.

He was speaking on “Green cities—plan for the planet” on the occasion of World Environment Day at the Institute of Engineers here.

The Task Force had in its comprehensive report suggested scientific methods to prevent falling of trees during rain. The report was submitted on BCC’s request.

“Let alone implementing the site-specific, problem-specific recommendation, it is unfortunate that the BCC didn’t find it necessary to even once discuss the matter with us. It was our voluntary effort involving all stake holders, which has gone down the drain,” Reddy said. He also spoke on the impact of ecological degradation in urban areas. On concerns that some soft wood shallow-rooted trees cannot withstand monsoon, Reddy shot back saying; “It’s all to do with bad planning. Concrete surfaces are laid by chopping 70% of the roots of the trees on the roadside. Canopy imbalances are created by chopping the branches indiscriminately. How can we expect such trees to withstand the rain?”

The Task Force had put forth 50 recommendations including planting of 5,000 saplings in all the BCC wards.