Trees enhance the landscape in all seasons. They not only beautify the place but also provide shade to cool-off in the hot summer.
It is sad that a large number of trees are being axed in the name of development. The six-laning of the Chennai-Kolkata highway is a classic example of how greenery is sacrificed at the altar of ‘development’. But the East Coast highway which runs parallel to it, presents a contrasting picture with a good number of avenue trees that provide a pleasant journey to commuters.
Giant treeA giant tree on the Ongole-Chirala stretch of the National Highway 214A (Digamarru-Ongole) which has survived the onslaught of tree-fellers and has managed to grab public attention provides a ray of hope. This giant tree, left undisturbed, has over the years become a drive-through tunnel tree allowing vehicles to pass underneath.
“Such wise and good practices to protect the environment are the need of the hour,” says G. Veerabhadrachari, chairman of Volunteer Environment Organisation. For the locals, this tree at Kadakudhuru near Chinaganjam is like a natural oxygen cylinder. “Planting and protecting trees has long been an integral part of our lifestyle,” Mr. Veerabhadrachari points out.
He informs that of the total number of 140 big trees cut down in Ongole in the last four years, there are 28 century-old trees. “Trees should be numbered and taken good care of,” he insists.
“We must revive environment-friendly ancient practices like the ritual of planting a tree to match the birth star of a new born baby and nurture it like one’s own child,” he says, adding that people should be encouraged to plant trees on wedding anniversaries and other occasions also. Shopkeepers who are in the habit of felling trees in front of their shops, should be made to plant 200 times more number of trees as penalty,” he suggests.
