Exotic trees belonging to species that are alien to The Nilgiris district are unable to withstand the recent spell of heavy showers and gusty winds.
Forest Department officials estimate that between 300 to 400 trees of alien species have been uprooted in the recent rains. Following this, the forest rangers have now begun to mark trees that are precarious and in unstable condition.
C. Badrasamy, District Forest Officer (Nilgiris South Division), said that the tree species that were native to the district had proved more resilient to the rains. Shola tree species such as Jamun (Syzygaium), Wild Shenbagam and Mappia Foetida, which were indigenous trees, had deep roots, grew in curves and were shorter compared to alien tree species.
These qualities helped them withstand heavy rains and high-velocity winds.
Most of the alien species such as Eucalyptus and Weetle were tall and straight besides lacking deep roots, said a Horticulture Department official.
The local trees could withstand heavy rains and winds. They succumbed mostly only to landslides.
The Tamil Nadu Government halted the use of alien tree species in afforestation initiatives around two to three decades ago, the official added.
