A concretized tree base on Adichunchangiri road in Mysuru
Credit: DH Photo
Mysuru: Axing of 40 trees on Hyder Ali road in Mysuru four weeks ago erupted a huge public outburst. Despite National Green Tribunal (NGT) ruling, most of the tree bases on roadsides in Mysuru are covered with concrete or tar or interlocked pavements, choking them with inadequate aeration and peroclation of water and nutrition to their roots.
An NGT judgement (in the matter of Sahil Garg V/S State of Punjab and others dated January 30, 2024) mandates that a one-metre radius of space around the trunk of a tree be left un-concretized and filled with soil to facilitate percolation of water to the roots to promote its health and survival. This ruling is significant to protect roadside trees, which contribute to urban greenery and provide various environmental benefits, amid challenges of climate change, global warming.
Officials of forest department and Mysore city corporation say that they have not done any survey or have no estimation on how many roadside trees are there in Mysuru.
However MCC Horticulture officials said that there are about 4 lakh roadside trees in Mysuru.
"Atleast half of these road side tree bases in Mysuru are covered with concrete. This can be witnessed in most roads be it Adichunchanagiri road or double road or Kalidasa road in Kuvempunagar or Sayyaji road or even some trees on Lalitha Mahal road among others, " said, T S Harsha, chairman, Department of Environmental Science, Karnataka State Open University,
"This Concretisation around trees while construction of the pavements or roads suffocates trees by sealing their base, preventing trunk expansion, hampering root aeration, cutting off root access to soil and nutrients. While older trees may survive longer due to their deep root systems, they eventually perish. Younger trees suffer immediate effects like their leaves wither, and the tree dries out, since their shallow roots struggle to absorb nutrients, especially when soil conditions are poor or affected by dryness, waterlogging, salinity, or low Ph," Harsha added.
"Providing a one-meter buffer around plants ensures their roots and foliage have ample space to grow freely, and they get essential resources such as water and nutrients," Harsha said.
Ground level staff of MCC Horticulture wing said that they receive frequent complaints from Environmentalists about concretization of tree bases. But those taking civil works should pay attention to it.
"MCC has to pass a resolution mandating to leave three feet space around a tree," an official said.
The Action Committee for Environmental Protection and founder member of Parisara Balaga Parashuramegowda said that they will voice about clearing concretization of these roadside trees.
Tree Census
Major Gen (Retd) Sudhir G Vombatkere said, "The Forest Depatment with its tree authority/committee should carry out a complete tree census, based on a GPS map, road-wise (with position of each tree) and ward-wise, naming each tree by species, its size and its assessed age. This should also include trees in public parks and in private properties, within MCC limits. If done properly, the tree census may take 6-8 months."
"Meanwhile forest department and MCC should take measures to strictly ensure that there is space around the bole of road trees without paving them," Vombatkere said.
Harsha said, "During new construction of roads/ pavements a fresh clause should be added in the tender documents that one meter area around the trees shall be left de-concretized. Trees which are already concretized should de-concretized, manually without use of JCB machines so that the roots and trunks are not damaged."
"While de-concretising trees, space around them should be leveled with earth/ soil and grass may be planted. Under Plantation Labour Act, 1951, they have mentioned tree protective strategies for root zone care to be adopted to safeguard trees; to reduce soil disturbance and compaction around tree roots to support healthy root systems during any construction. They have suggested installing tree guards, erecting barriers, incorporating permeable materials such as porous concrete or gravel to support soil health and water infiltration on footpaths," Harsha pointed.