Hyderabad: Over 3,500 trees trimmed for visarjan

Hyderabad :Even as environmentalists are crying themselves hoarse about the shrinking green cover in the city, another 3,500 trees have been either trimmed or have had their branches chopped off to facilitate the smooth travel of the Ganesh processions. 

“The random pruning of trees must stop. There are existing technologies, which if used, can ensure that trees grow in a particular shape which can avoid the electricity poles, the billboards etc. We must go for that instead of cutting them haphazardly. This is dangerous as this way they may get uprooted during a heavy shower”, says Ms Madhulika Chaudhary, an expert in tree translocation.
Billboards are also becoming a death knell for trees in the city with two instances in the last three weeks where the branches of the trees were cut unscientifically to increase billboard visibility. 

Trees at Jubilee hill check-post and KBR main gate are the latest victims in this with over 10 trees falling prey to billboard visibility. Trees in Begumpet and in areas around the Hi-tech flyover are have all borne the brunt of billboards getting prominence over nature, allege environmentalists.

“In Hyderabad this is the most common thing. The government gives permits and gets revenue so officials do not speak up or take action against these people”, says environmentalist Kalyani Gorre. She adds that these big banners have become a visual eyesore as well.

Environmentalists also allege that trees have been injected with chemicals that would weaken them faster. Urban Biodiversity Wing of GHMC however denies these complaints.

“We have cut branches only in places where Ganesh processions would be passing to facilitate smoother movement. Apart from this reason, branches have not been cut”, says Mr V Damodar, Director of Urban Biodiversity Wing. He adds that branches can easily grow without affecting the tree’s health through a process called pollarding.