DH Impact | Forest Dept passes GO to ensure tree bases are deconcretised across Karnataka

In a major development following directions from Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on June 10, the department has issued a Government Order (GO) Tuesday to ensure that one-metre radius around the base of all trees by roadsides be left un-concretised and filled with soil to facilitate percolation of water to the roots, to promote their health and survival, in the entire State. 

Chief Secretary of Department Shivaprakash has passed this GO to not just save trees but to ensure they don't fall during rains or windy weather due to weak base.

The GO has upheld the NGT order dated: 23.04.2013, in 0.A. no. 82/2013, Aditya N. Prasad Vs Union of India & Ors.

DH Mysuru edition had published an Article on May 12 2025 highlighting how most of the tree bases on roadsides in Mysuru were covered with concrete, tar or interlocked pavements, affecting their health, growth, survival with inadequate aeration and percolation of water and nutrition to their roots.  It had highlighted judgement of the National Green Tribunal that mandates that one-metre radius around the tree base be left un-concretised and filled with soil to facilitate percolation of water to the roots to promote its health and survival. 

A DH Impact report published on June 4 had highlighted how following a report on April 12 and after directions from DCF K N Basavaraj, Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner Shaikh Tanveer Asif had set a model by clearing concretisation bases of 108 trees on a total stretch of 11.44 km on eight major roads of Mysuru city, and taking measures to prevent concretisation in future.

On June 5, during a telephonic interview with DH, Minister Khandre had assured of passing this GO soon to save trees from being concretised at their bases on road sides in entire State.