The dead and infected trees of Chandigarh have finally attracted the attention of authorities concerned. For, the UT Forest Department has swung into action to check the condition of native trees.
The UT Forest Department has roped in experts from Panjab University to conduct a maiden survey to check the health of trees planted along V3 Roads (fast vehicular sector dividing roads) in Chandigarh. The survey is aimed at identifying the number of diseased trees in Chandigarh so that the same can be replaced by healthy saplings at the earliest. At present, a large number of trees along V3 Roads are affected due to termite infection. Sadly, several trees have already succumbed to termite infection while many others are on the verge of collapse due to the infection. Besides its ugly look along V3 avenues, these diseased trees often pose a threat to commuters in Chandigarh.
The experts from the Panjab University has already initiated the first-ever survey to check the condition of trees along V3 avenues running from north-east to south-west with dense tree cover. The tree species lined up along V3 Roads are of Silver Oak, Arjun, Kusum, Pilkin among others.
While talking to The Pioneer, Santosh Kumar, Director Environment Department and UT Conservator of Forest said, “The experts from Panjab University have begun their survey to identify dead and diseased trees in the city.”
He said, “An amount of Rs 2 lakh has been provided to the university to conduct the study. The report of the survey is likely to be submitted by next month.”
“Such survey would be conducted for the first time in the city. After receiving the report, the UT Department will initiate process to replace diseased trees with new saplings in the city,” he added.
Notably, the State of Environment Report-Chandigarh 2012 has also advised that dead and diseased trees should be replaced by healthy saplings and every abandoned or vacant space should be utilised for afforestation and qualitative improvement in green cover. In the area of green cover, urban forestry needs more attention here, stated the report.
Also, in Chandigarh greening action plan, the authorities concerned have pointed out that in Chandigarh, along the roadside and in old parks, some of the trees have died and such trees give an ugly look and are prone to uprooting and breaking during storms and attack/spread of diseases etc.
“Irregular cutting of tree branches should be avoided as it increase the possibility of insect infestation and disease infections at irregular cut. Pruning and other such operations should be carried out under the direct supervision of concerned horticultural staff and the mechanised instruments like power chain saw etc should be used for such works, so as to avoid regular cuts that lead to insect infestation. Fresh instructions will be issued to the departments responsible for cutting/pruning of trees for avoiding damages to the trees,” added the plan report.