Trees snap because we ill-treat them

Right to Know
New Indian Express

Trees snap because we ill-treat them

Premonsoon showers damaged 30 trees in Bangalore last week. Most of them were ornamental, and ornamental trees are easy victims of premonsoon showers, which bring along heavy winds.

Environmentalists suggest a better planting procedure. There is a need to identify tree that can grow well and stand up to the winds and rains.

It is easy for officials from Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) to blame the gusty winds, experienced generally during the premonsoon period, for uprooting of trees. But zero precautions are taken prior to the monsoon to save the trees, say environmentalists.

Tree snapping due to natural reasons is only in the case of old trees. The actual reason is improper maintenance and ill treatment of the trees, especially the space around the tree.

BMP workers cement the tree base, which does not allow water to percolate. The other reason is the extensive digging by the authorities, exposing the roots, which gets cut.

The soil gets loose, causing the tree to fall. Hasiru Usiru will conduct a survey of trees in areas where trees having got uprooted and document the reasons for it.

Rohan D’Souza, Member, Hasiru Usiru