Tree activists fight it out

 

Due to a fear psychosis created by recent tree-fall deaths most passersby remark that the Banyan tree should be cut down. However, since the tree cannot speak for itself, ‘Tree walk’, a fraternity of tree lovers, roped in experts from Forest Research Institute, Thrissur to study its health.

 

“Experts deemed that the tree was only in search of some sunlight. A little bit of pruning will ensure that it stays for a few more decades,” says Anitha Sharma.

 

This is the story of hundreds of trees in the city that are being rescued and preserved by Tree Walk, which negotiates and fights with town planners to retain lung space in Thiruvananthapuram, the evergreen city of India.

 

“Why are only a few of us deemed environmentalists or tree lovers when all of us get the benefit from trees?,” asks Anitha Sharma who founded Tree walk.

 

The group was started by Ms Sharma in 2012 in memory of her deceased mom, botanist Thankam. Today, their activities have evolved from simply organising early morning walks to identify trees. It keeps a health card for trees and scientifically ensures that they stand tall safely.

 

“Unless a person or town planning official has a vested interest they generally listen to our arguments and avoid or minimise cutting down of trees. In the case of Attakulangara Central school, we were able to mobilise people and prevent TRIDA from cutting down many rain trees here. Our city needs a de-centralised approach for development,” she added.

 

As the district is gearing up to cut down 12,000 trees as a part of highway development for  the Vizhinjam project, Tree Walk activists are fighting hard for  dwindling lung spaces inside the city.