Local self-government told to axe trees leaning on schools in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR) has ordered local self- government institutions to act on the complaints over trees leaning on schools and anganwadis. Local self-government secretary, director of panchayats and municipal director have been asked to issue a circular to this effect. The commission has taken suo motu action in the wake of the collapse of a tree on Puthiyedathu ALP school in the district recently.

The incident occurred at lunch break and children were out of the classes. “There were several instances of trees or their branches leaning over school buildings and parents worried over this,” said Mr K. Naseer Chaliyum, KeSCPCR member. The commission has also ordered the heads of schools and anganwadis to report the case of dangerous trees to the corporation/municipality/grama panchayat concerned. DPI director, higher secondary director and social justice department director have to issue a circular regarding this.

Self- government institutions could invoke section-238 of Kerala Panchayat Raj Act to cut or trim a tree which poses threat to the life of children and others. “The order is a big relief. Often, the concern over the threat of trees fall on deaf ears,” said K. Deepthi, mother of a schoolkid in Kozhikode. In July 2015, a 6th class student was killed after a coconut tree fell on him at Government HSS, Meenchanda here.