In a bid to improve indigenous tree cover in the city, the Chennai Corporation, with the support of NGOs and residents, will launch a campaign to protect indigenous trees that are getting rarer. At least 40 indigenous species of trees that have become rare in the city have been identified.
Following a recent meeting with NGOs, the civic body has decided to promote the community park model for protecting indigenous trees and launch a ‘Free the Tree’ campaign. Residents in each neighbourhood will be asked to report rare indigenous, heritage trees to civic authorities.
“There are suggestions to make changes in land use to promote indigenous trees in the city,” said an official.
Chennai Corporation will also study heritage trees and landmark trees with support from NGOs and residents in each neighbourhood.
Mentioning the names of rare species such as the Scholar tree, Shobha Menon of Nizhal said: “We will tell the people why they need to be protected. Scholar tree was used for making slate. It has medicinal properties. It is getting rarer in the city.”
“We are talking about environmental impact for issuance of planning permission for a building. Our studies have focussed on insensitive greening and environmental impact,” said Ms. Menon.
Planning agencies are exploring ways to change urban land use and attempt sensitive greening.
Chennai Corporation has already started studying the indigenous species in each street in zones such as Anna Nagar, Kodambakkam, Ambattur, Teynampet and Valasaravakkam. Officials will generate a fresh list of vacant spaces for indigenous tree planting, including open space reserve, burial grounds, avenues, parks and government institutions.
“After selection of the tree species that promote native ecosystem, we will involve communities and corporates for protecting trees. Residents and NGOs will stand up against tree abuse,” said an official.
Civic body has decided to promote the community park model for protecting indigenous trees
