KOLKATA: Thick branches of tall trees are falling and large trees are getting uprooted in many places across Salt Lake.
At least four or five tall trees fell across Salt Lake in the past three or four months.
Botanists and horticulture experts are saying that unscientific trimming of trees, rampant digging of pavements for utility work, trees suffering from fungal infection due to malnourishment may make large trees lose balance and get displaced.
"Many of the trees are not deep rooted. Besides, Salt Lake's soil is weak and loose. The reason why large branches are sometimes getting snapped is that the trees are not having proper growth and remaining malnourished, which also results in fungal infections," said former West Bengal biodiversity board chairman, A K Sanyal.
"Trees are often being trimmed and pruned in an unscientific manner by the workers who are often axing large branches. This makes a tall tree lose its balance. Besides, the soil of the township is weak while repeated digging of roads for utility work is further weakening the soil. That is why, large trees are losing grips to hold on," said Bidhannagar Horticulture society secretary, Arijit Poddar.
"It can be checked whether boring insects are damaging the trees," said Arjan Basu Roy, secretary of Nature Mates. BMC MMIC (environment) Rahima Bibi Mondal said they have prepared a team of experts who will conduct surveys to check the present condition of all roadside trees across the township. Officials said the team will also examine whether a tree, once uprooted, can be replanted again to other locations.
