Home / Environment / Pune Trees Topple: Concrete Jungle Claims Green Giants
Pune Trees Topple: Concrete Jungle Claims Green Giants
17 Jul
Summary
- Over 350 trees fell in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad due to monsoon rains.
- Experts cite concretisation and improper trimming as main causes for tree falls.
- Lack of scientific methods and early planning contributes to tree instability.
The early July monsoon brought severe disruption to Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, with over 350 trees collapsing. This unprecedented tree fall has prompted an investigation into the underlying causes beyond just heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Experts point to extensive concretisation and damaging digging practices around trees as primary culprits. Activists highlight that root systems are frequently weakened during construction and redevelopment projects. Improper trimming by unqualified contractors further exacerbates the problem, often causing imbalance.
Further contributing factors include soil temperature fluctuations and the loss of soil depth due to the city's concrete cover. Old tar and concrete layers beneath roads prevent proper root anchoring. This superficial soil support makes trees vulnerable, especially when weakened by continuous rain.
Civic officials have at times blamed environmentalists for opposing necessary trimming. However, environmentalists counter that trimming is often unscientific and done by contractors lacking expertise. Maharashtra lacks a standard operating procedure for pre-monsoon tree cutting, leaving it to individual civic bodies.
To prevent future incidents, experts advocate for scientific tree surveys, proper root protection during infrastructure work, and integrating tree health into early urban planning stages. Utilizing technologies like LIDAR and tree MRIs is also suggested for accurate health assessments. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) acknowledge these issues and are working on identifying and freeing trees from concrete.
