Bengaluru: The recent heavy downpour in the city has exposed the shoddy work done by the municipal agencies.
The strong winds that accompanied the rains led to the uprooting of several trees across the city, but the moot question is that whether BBMP and other civic agencies stop damaging tree roots while carrying out digging and encircling them with concrete.
In his research paper, Dr TV Ramachandra, lead scientist of the Indian Institute of Science, had elaborated on the rapid concretization in the city that has led to a decline in the green cover. The paper mentioned that there has been 1,028 per cent increase in concrete surface, which has impacted the ground water recharge.
It has also been observed that that while carrying out the developmental works on footpaths or on roads, the roots of trees are hacked, which ultimately weakens its foundation to such an extent that even a light to moderate rain brings them down.
“This continues to happen. Trees have been damaged while laying the sewage line. We need to have a management team. The BBMP forest cell has only a handful people for the entire city. How could one manage such a grave issue with such a small number? We have had a death due to the negligence,” remarked Vijay Nishanth, tree doctor.
Last year, after the residents of Vidyaranyapura raised their voice against concretisation of tree roots, the BBMP removed the cemented surface from the root area of the trees.
In 2007, the Delhi High Court had termed the concretization around trees as unnecessary and ordered the removal of tiles around the trees.
