1,500 trees cut in one year

1,500 trees cut in one year

Staff Reporter

About six lakh tress in city are over 50 years old

500 weak branches were pruned or cut


BANGALORE: With the death of a person on June 23 when a huge branch that looked quite healthy came crashing down on Queens Road, the issue of how the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), in charge of maintaining the trees in the city, identifies them and takes action has come into focus.

The city has around 30 lakh trees and about six lakh of them are over 50 years old, according to official figures. “Greening initiatives in the city over the last 50 years or so have focussed on planting trees such as Gulmohar and Spathodea. Their life span is limited and are generally weak by nature. Such trees are the ones causing the problems during monsoon time,” says Krishna Udupudi, Deputy Conservator of Forests, BBMP.

In the past 18 months, the administration decided to take up pruning of trees, based on the recommendations of a committee headed by environmentalist Yellappa Reddy. Previously trees were cut on an arbitrary basis, he said.

“In the past one year, we have cut nearly 1,500 trees. But since April, we have identified 113 trees on rapid assessment basis because of the arrival of the pre-monsoon showers. Another 500 weak branches on arterial and sub arterial roads were also pruned or cut,” Mr. Udupudi said. Stating that public co-operation in identifying dead or rotting trees was important, he said following public feedback, 221 branches had been identified.

On the process of how identification happens, Mr. Udupudi said that dried and dead trees and branches were recognisable only if there were outward signs visible. “This is the problem we are facing. Some trees or branches, like the one that killed a person recently looked healthy from the outside,” he says. Public who want to report dead or weak trees can call the BBMP Control rooms or call Mr. Udupudi’s office on 22485317.