Trees fall as govt fails to follow its own policy

New Delhi, July 2 (UNI) The Delhi government is not following its policy of 'replacing' old and over-mature trees as a result of which trees fall regularly, especially during the rainy season, causing injury, damage to property and traffic jams in different parts of the national capital.

Contrary to the sob stories about soil being weak and all that, it was simple failure to replace old, over-mature, dried and dead trees as early as possible that led to such trees being uprooted at the slightest of reason, sources said.

Besides, it was also laid down that tiling/black topping around trees had to be removed to ensure they did not suffocate and die...

Compactness of soil, concretising, tiling and black topping close to the tree stem suffocated the trees adversely affecting their growth and at times resulting in it dying. Tiling/concreting checked percolation of ground water and proper aeration of roots. Agencies concerned had been advised to remove concrete/tile/black topping from a space measuring six feet by six feet around a tree, it was stated.

A proper replacement plan had to be made after a thorough assessment, they said and added that all such trees had to be identified that were likely to be replaced in the next ten years.

According to the protection and improvement of vegetation cover guidelines, replacement planting under these indentified trees had to be scheduled in such a manner that at the time of removal of old trees, new crop of trees was at least ten years old or crown of tree was developed enough to provide shade and mature enough to withstand various climatic and biotic pressures.

More emphasis had to be given to species like Neem, Pipal, Jamun and Pilkhan at the time of replacement planting or in accordance with landscape planning. Replacement planting had to be done with the same species that was being replaced so as to maintain symmetry.

Along the roadside where miscellaneous avenue plantations was done in the past, replacement had to be done with indigenous species to ensure better survival.

Tall saplings measuring six feet and above had to be used in replacement planting so as to reduce establishment period and maintenance cost.

At the time of replacement planting it had to be ensured that saplings of the same group and same height were planted so that a look of symmetrical avenue was maintained.

Further sufficient protection measures had to be taken to avoid casualties that normally resulted into gaps and gave uneven look to an avenue.

UNI IP MIR KN1042