In Ernakulam, over one lakh trees cut in last 9 years

Kochi: In the past nine years, Ernakulam district has lost a total of one lakh trees in the public space to pave way for development including road expansion and building construction. According to an expert member in the Tree Committee lin-ked to the Forest Department in Ernakulam that gives sanction for the tree cutting, adequ-ate compensatory tree planting has not taken place in the district in this regard which is a big cause of concern.

“For the construction of Kochi Metro rail line alone over 1,200 trees were cut in the Aluva-Ernakulam-Tripunit-hura route but enough tree saplings have not been planted in their place. The norm is that when one tree is cut, 10 new tree saplings have to be planted,” said Dr C.M. Joy, expert member of the Tree Committee and an enivronmental scientist.

He said that no governmental agency cares for substitute tree planting when a tree is cut. “Bec-ause of this the oxygen content in the air in Kochi has come down while pollution has incr-eased. Scientists say the destruction of six small forests in Chennai for urbanisation led to the severe water shortage in the city now. It is a warning for us too,” said Dr Joy. Coming down on the move to construct a Me-tro City near NGO quarters at Kakkanad, he said that over 4,000 trees belonging to 150 varieties will be uprooted for the project.

“These are apart from the herbs that are on the verge of extinction, that are thr-eatened. There is another application before our committee to give sanction for cutting 4,300 trees in 170 acres at FACT land in Ambalam-ugal which is bought by BPCL to set up its new plant. Considering the increased vehicle pollution in Kochi, the life in Kochi is going to be difficult,” said Dr Joy.

“Any move that results in the loss of greenery left in the city would be suicidal. Hence the mo-ve to cut the trees for Metro City should be immediately stopped and the area should be preserved like Lal Bagh in Bangalore,” he said.