The fall and after

Every time it rains, trees fall like ninepins in ‘Namma Bengaluru’. Why is it that the trees in Bengaluru can’t withstand rains even if it is only for a short span of time?

A host of reasons, some natural and some man-made, have been cited as having contributed to the recent tree fall. Lack of planning and haphazard development besides unscientific pruning of tree branches and the lack of any focus on insect-ridden trees are among the reasons being cited.

Nalini Shekar, co-founder of Hasiru Dala states, “What has happened is that the authorities have started pruning trees a bit too late. There is no place around the tree roots for it to grow and this is what damages the tree and forces it to fall.” Nalini further observes that none of the Tender SURE roads have provision for planting trees. “The footpaths are being widened without sparing a thought for planting more trees and saving the existing ones. That’s sad,” she adds. 
 
According to Dr SV Hittalmani, advisor to the Horticulture Department, ageing, indiscriminate growth, where there is an imbalance between the growth of the number of branches and roots, and digging of the ground for laying cables weakens the anchorage strength of trees. He says Gulmohar and rain trees have a short life span. “They are of soft wood and grow very fast. Therefore, those trees must be cut after a certain time. Shorter trees must be planted in their place. This is all about scientific planting of trees,” Hittalmani emphasises.

He further points out that trees like Gulmohar that are in plenty in the City are brittle by nature. “They look healthy and strong from the outside but are totally infested inside. Raintrees are also prone to fall during gusty winds because they are in an obtuse angle. Also, the Spathodea trees are always at the danger of being uprooted,” he says adding scientific pruning of weak branches of trees must happen throughout the year.

“We have been receiving frantic calls from people on our helplines alerting us on where the trees have fallen and the weak ones in their respective areas,” says Kumar G Naik, Commissioner BBMP. He says that the BBMP have undertaken massive operations to clear the fallen trees. “We will now have to seriously look at the scientific study and identification of weak trees across the City and prune them to not only prevent falling but to save them as well. There’s a lot of work to be done and we will take it up in a phased manner,” he says.        

Covering of the surface of the soil with reinforced concrete layers up to the trunk of the tree stops percolation of water. “At least two to three feet of earth space should be left undisturbed around the trees. Only then will the aeration and water absorption for the roots be possible,’’ observes ND Sudarshan, Deputy Conservator of Forest, BBMP. He states that the weak trees must be identified and pruning of weak branches must happen throughout the year. “But we are short-staffed and it is not possible to depute people for this purpose throughout the year. Identifying these trees and sizing them down is a laborious process. We need a lot of hands for the job,” reasons Sudarshan.

 He adds, “Ths time about 400 Home Guards have joined in the operation of clearing the fallen trees to make way for smooth flow of traffic.”