HEAPS of fallen trees on the roadside is a common picture these days especially during storms. But now, even a storm is not needed for trees to uproot. Improper urban planning and insincere construction work makes all the difference. During road concretisation, trees are getting choked at their roots, becoming weak and then falling down. ‘The Hitavada’ has been raising this issue since years now. On the same lines, ‘The Hitavada’ published an article on May 18, 2024 on the same issue. Taking serious cognisance of the issue, Garden Department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation asked engineering section of all ten zones to provide breathing space to trees. In a letter sent to Executive Engineer of all ten zones of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) the Garden Superintendent has said, ‘A lot of work of concretisation is going on in Nagpur city. During this work, the trees too get concretised.

 

As a result, the trees do not get enough water and nutrients.This should not happen. During these works, a prescribed space of 1 metre by 1 metre should be created around a base of a tree. This will provide air and water to the trees.’ With widespread development work, cement paver blocks and bricks are thrown near the trunk of the trees choking them. Secondly, in the planning, trees are not given much thought. The growth is seen from the crown of the tree. (Crown means above ground parts, including stems, leaves, and reproductive structures of a tree).

 

Trees need to grow within its crown. If encroachment is made around the crown, then trees would grow wherever it finds the sunlight or air. With growing population, the water requirement has increased. The disproportionate ratio of demand and supply is impacting the growth of trees as well. Trees normally get water either from rain or from ground. Welcoming the decision of NMC, Dr Mousumi Bhowal, Professor of Department of Botany at Hislop College said, “As ground water level has gone down, only the old trees with widespread roots get water. Younger trees get the water from rain, which is above ground. But there, we have thrown heaps of cement and rocks at the trunk choking the tree’s only water resource. This is leading to falling of trees.”