If there were a few hundred more trees in the city, would it be less strenuous to walk or travel on city roads, this peak summer? Possibly.
Chennai Metro Rail work has included felling 385 trees in the city: 78 along the Washermanpet-Chennai airport stretch, and 307 along the Chennai Fort-St. Thomas Mount stretch.
“Microclimate gets definitely affected by this. Had the trees been there, it would have resulted in a drop in temperature by at least a degree, providing relief to several commuters and residents,” said T. Sundaramoorthy of CPR Environmental Education Centre.
A loss of 385 trees means around 18,000 kg of oxygen will be reduced — the quantity required for 104 persons in a year’s time, according to a report by RITES Ltd., a Government of India enterprise.
Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) claims to have planted nearly 59,000 saplings and trees.
“We have planted saplings in many places, including the Tamil Nadu Police Training Academy in Vandalur, Puzhal prison, the Officers Training Academy and also, in several schools and colleges,” said an official of CMRL.
When a tree is cut down in an area, saplings should be planted in the vicinity itself, according to D. Vijayabaskar of Green Cross Exnora. “Around 10 trees were cut on Anna Salai for Metro Rail work,” he said.
CMRL could plant more trees in areas such as TTK Road, Boat Club Road and the stretch between Koyambedu and Kathipara junction, said Mr. Vijayabaskar explained.
“I have made attempts to assist the officials and have written to them seeking replacements in the same locality. But it has never been done,” said Mr. Vijayabaskar. It won’t suffice if the saplings are just planted, they should be monitored and maintained for a considerable amount of time, he said.
