More than 500 requests for tree pruning were received in the Thiruvananthapuram range over the past six months, according to Forest Department officials.
Destruction caused by uprooted trees and damage caused by branches falling during heavy rain seem to have led to people paying more attention to trees that pose danger.
“We have been receiving several applications from Corporation councillors. Most of them are cleared as soon as we get them. In case of tree felling for developmental activities, we refer them to the Tree Protection Committee. We had carried out much of the pruning before the southwest monsoon and ahead of the northeast monsoon,” says R. Divya, range officer, Thiruvanthapuram range.
Damage lesser
According to ACF, Social Forestry, J.R. Ani, the damage caused by trees was much lesser during the monsoon this year compared to the previous years.
“One of the issues that we face is the availability of members of the Tree Protection Committee. It is impossible for the members to cover all the areas on the days on which they are available. There are no restrictions on branch cuttings and removal of dead trees, especially when they pose danger,” he says.
According to a Corporation official, more than 50 councillors have handed over requests for pruning and cutting trees in the past few weeks.
Priority
“We can clear the branches of trees located on Corporation roads or on the premises of our offices, once we get the approval from the Tree Protection Committee. In case of other institutions, we send a request and they are supposed to take action. We are giving priority in case of educational institutions and hospitals to ensure that the pruning is carried out soon enough. Some of the councillors are not specific, as they don’t pinpoint specific trees to be pruned, but request pruning for a larger area. For the bigger trees, above a specific size, we need to call for a tender, before we can do anything,” says the official.
