Hubballi: Trees have become targets for various projects like BRTS in the twin cities. Environmentalists and citizens have been protesting against tree-felling, but there is hardly any protest over concrete footpaths that suffocate trees.
Contractors cover the space around trees with tiles and cement and this hinders their absorption of water. People are now urging
HDMC officials to allow trees some breathing space.
Pointing out this problem at Emmikeri Bus Stop in
Dharwad, freelance journalist Harshavardhan Sheelavant said officials’ insensitivity about the environment is proving costly for trees. “Civil engineers and architects involved in such works should think practically rather than impose their theoretical knowledge. As the roots of about 30 trees are covered with tiles and cement, they’re deprived of water and air. They’ll definitely go dry and die in the near future. Such anti-ecology work is rampant around the deputy commissioner’s office.”
Sudharm Basapur, principal, Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya, said there are hundreds of such trees at Chandranath Nagar, Vijay Nagar and surrounding areas in
Hubballi. “When we asked an official looking after construction work, he said roots go deeper into the earth and they get water from surrounding areas. Concrete and tar roads don’t allow water into the earth. Water cannot reach roots covered by cement, tile or
pavers. As water flows, it leads to flood-like situations which is happening in cities like Mumbai and Chennai.”
Amateur photographer Amruth Joshi said construction workers are more aware about the problem. “Workers pleaded helplessness and said their supervisors tell them to cover the pavements. Engineers and other officials are not bothered about it. There is need to sensitise them about this serious issue,” he added.
An official of the forest department, on condition of anonymity, said when forest officials raise this issue in review meetings, other department officials cite reasons like space constraint and dust arising from open spaces. “As per rules, trees should be given enough space around them. But no one listen to us,” he added.
Who is responsible?
When TOI asked Vijaykumar Kadakbavi, regional officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, about this problem, he said monitoring of trees and maintenance comes under the forest department. Officials of the forest department said they drew the attention of officials concerned in review meetings, but no one took their suggestions seriously. Girish Talwar, environment engineer, HDMC, said that pavements was civil work and he manages only solid waste management. HDMC commissioner CW Shakeel Ahmed was not available for comment.
