NMC, NHAI, PWD to take up tree de-choking

 

 

Nagpur is witnessing huge construction activity and the sufferers are the citizens and trees. A lot of trees were choked due to the rampant development. Most trees in city, due to choking, became weak and could not sustain even wind speeds of 40-50 km and collapsed. After thousands of trees succumbed to choking, civic authorities have finally woken up to the reality. The civic body has begun work of de-choking the trees, though not on large scale. Concretisation has left most of the tree-bases covered with cement, leaving no space for water to percolate. ‘The Hitavada’ has been running a campaign, raising the issue of choking of trees. Existence of several trees is in danger as contractors who constructed cement roads have dumped debris near the trees on the roadside.

 

There should be a space of 3-5 feet around the tree so that water can percolate below and the tree won’t choke. Taking serious cognisance of the issue, Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari, Municipal Commissioner, convened a meeting of the officials and asked them to undertake tree de-choking on a war-footing. Dr Chaudhari told ‘The Hitavada’, “Some works are being done under NMC’s supervision where we will take care of de-choking. We have identified around 4,000 trees in 10 zones which need to be dechoked. Our work will start soon. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Public Works Department (PWD) will also take up tree de-choking project.” Dr Chaudhari has now asked the officials to expedite the work for de-choking of trees.

 

On every road, where work of concretisation was on, trees were choking. If it gets delayed, then considering the scorching heat and reduction in ground water level, survival of the trees would become extremely difficult. In the meeting, all the zones had put the details of the trees that are choked due to work of concretisation. Botanists in the city have already warned that trees would not survive if the contractors keep throwing cement debris at the tree base. Groundwater level is very important factor in growth of trees. In case of concretisation and dumping of cement debris, trees will not get enough water. There is less awareness among people, the workers of NMC and the labourers who are involved in construction works. There have been incidents where during civic work, the labourers had cut full-grown roots of tree. Some botanists have suggested that the authorities concerned should impart training to the labourers working with them with regard to care of trees.