KOLKATA: Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to take up a tree health audit to find out the condition of tall and large trees, after a tree got uprooted in Salt lake last Wednesday, leaving a motorist injured.
At least three such trees fell in different parts of Salt Lake in the last four months.
Rampant digging of pavements for utility work and unscientific trimming of trees along with the inherent weak nature of the soil in Salt Lake are leading to these trees getting uprooted, said horticulture experts.
“Trees are being trimmed and pruned in an unscientific manner by workers who are cutting off large branches. This makes a tall tree lose its balance. Besides, the nature of the soil in the township is weak and repeated digging of roads for utility work is further weakening it as roots of large trees lose their grip,” said Bidhannagar Horticulture Society secretary Arijit Poddar. “Large or tall trees are suitable for plantation in parks. For avenue plantation in Salt Lake, small or medium palm trees should be considered,” Poddar added.
BMC MMiC (environment) Rahima Bibi Mondal said, they have prepared a team that will soon start conducting surveys to check the condition of all such trees.
According to civic estimates, around 4,500 trees fell in Salt Lake and Rajarhat-Gopalpur during cyclone Amphan in May, 2020, of which about 2,500-3,000 trees fell in Salt Lake and its adjacent localities.
