Forest dept. to take count of ‘dangerous’ trees

Listing of wayside trees that pose threat to life and property will begin in the State immediately in the wake of Nellimattam accident.

All Divisional Forest Officers in the State have been instructed to convene meetings of government officials concerned, civic representatives and people’s representatives. The process will be completed in a couple of days and a decision on axing or pruning them will be taken shortly, said V.K. Unniyal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Social Forestry) said.

The instruction was issued following an intervention from the Forest Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan. Once the list is ready, the department will act as suggested by the State government, he said.

The Revenue Department and the Public Works Department are responsible for cutting trees located in public holdings and waysides and not the Forest Department. In case of trees which pose threat to life, the Revenue or Public Works Department can act without waiting for the clearance from the Forest Department, he said.

No complaint

Mr. Unniyal maintained that the Forest Department had not received any information or complaint regarding the tree that came down on Friday crushing five children to death. None of the local forest officials including the officials of the Social Forestry wing or the Divisional Forest Officer, Malayattoor, had received any complaints regarding the risk posed by the huge tree, said Mr. Unniyal while denying reports that the department failed to act in spite of complaints.

Excise Minister K. Babu said that District Collector will convene a meeting of senior forest officials at the District Collectrate at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday to discuss the issue of old and fragile trees posing threat to the public in Ernakulam district.

The Fire Force personnel had a tough time controlling the irate crowd at the accident site, who demanded that all dangerous trees in the region should be cut down immediately. One tree located along the road stretch near the accident site was removed using excavator after the incident.

In Ernakulam, the Social Forestry wing has issued permission for cutting 200 trees located along the flanks of the roads, which were in dangerous condition, said Martian Lowel, Assistant Conservator of Forest (Social Forestry). The Revenue and Public Work Department officials who approach the Social Forestry wing seeking permission for cutting trees on roadsides are immediately directed to obtain permission from the Revenue Divisional Officer. The clearance of Forest department is not required for pruning the trees on pathways, he said.

All Divisional Forest Officers in the State have been instructed to convene meetings of officials concerned.