BCC s drive to remove, prune old and weak trees gains momentum

BCC s drive to remove, prune old and weak trees gains momentum
Vijay Times

COME rainy season and Bangaloreans have to worry about not just water flooding their homes and streets but also about trees and branches giving way . The number of trees that were uprooted during the previous monsoons, causing damage to life and property , stands testimony to the large number of weak trees that can be found in the City .

EXPERT VIEW

Planting wrong saplings along the roadsides has resulted in the trees’ roots not going deep inside the soil. "This, in turn, results in trees being uprooted during heavy rains and strong winds," an expert said.

Regular digging by various agencies in the City has been cited as another factor. The expert said that digging loosened the soil and this made trees to give way during heavy rains.

Realising the gravity of the situation, the Bangalore City Corporation (BCC) has embarked on a drive to remove and prune those trees that pose a threat to road users.

Deputy Conservator of Forests Krishna D Udupudi, who is attached to the BCC, told B BV VT T that the BCC, since the beginning of April, had taken up a drive to identify old and weak trees that could give way during the monsoons. Such trees were being removed, he added.

In the East zone, 36 old and dried trees had been removed and 357 branches had been cut so far . The corresponding figures for the South zone were 24 trees and 115 branches, he informed.

"Those trees and branches that come in the way of electricity lines and those that cause inconvenience to movement of vehicles are being pruned. These trees have been identified by experts and voluntary organisations," he said.

"W e also request the public to bring to our notice such trees which pose danger to human life and property . W e will get such trees removed immediately ," Udupudi said.

Experts said that only particular varieties of trees, based on the soil conditions and topography of the particular area, should have been planted and that too, in a scientific manner .

However , the civic body , in a bid to enhance the green cover , had planted ornamental trees to improve the aesthetics of the City .

Many such trees, which have a short life span and whose roots don’t go deep into the soil, are now posing danger to human life and property .

Along with the BCC, the Forest and the Horticulture Departments too should take up the responsibility of taking care of these trees and avoid any untoward incidents, they added.