Thanks to BBMP apathy, tree census yet to start

Bengaluru: It has been more than a month since Project Vruskha brought the census of the trees in the Pattabhiramnagar ward in the public domain. However, the BBMP forest department is yet to go ahead with the tree census.

One of the foremost points brought in the meetings held last November under the presidentship of chief forest conservative officer R. Gokul was the plantation drive and tree census and certification.

In order to achieve the targets it was suggested by tree doctor, Vijay Nishanth to appoint tree health specialists.

“I have been doing this on my two-wheeler for the past several years and Project Vruksha foundation was the first in the city to treat trees. But we need to have proper census first and then we can proceed further. We need to take care of the trees or else the target of conservation will never be met,” Nishanth said.

“I proposed the appointment of health specialists, but tree census is important. I am apprising the urban population about the importance of conservation and how to carry out the census. The forest department should now take the step,” he added.

It is learnt that even Lalbagh does not have a separate tree clinic.

Nishanth has been approached by volunteers from Gurugram and Mysuru to carry out census.

A couple of days ago, the high court asked the Tree Authority if it has taken any step towards carrying out a tree census and planting saplings at the place of fallen trees.