Trees are lungs of city: Prof Sahoo
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 11 2016: The State Government's idea of beautification veers around paved sidewalks, fancy tiles on footpaths and plastering and construction of road every inch of road with tar and concrete.

But this form of streetscaping has left trees on the sidewalks shrivelled and choked.

Hemmed in from all sides by concrete, the roots of trees are withering, making them vulnerable during storm and heavy rain.

Prof Dinabandhu Sahoo, Director, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) expressed his concern to save the road side trees in the Imphal city as trees are the lungs of the city.

He said that, when the roads are constructed it is very important to leave some space around the base of the trees can absorbed water for their proper respiration.

Else after few years road side trees are likely to dry.

In the city due to road construction more than 200 matured tress are fully covered with black topping and cement this will result to dry.

To act on time related authorities should take up certain measures to dig hole around the base of the trees instead of covering the trees he added.

He urged to all the people to leave some space around the trees when they construct roads, sidewalks or house construction to save trees.

Its a very bad example that the base of trees are fully covered with black topping, cement, tiles etc.

for beautification.

Today in front of Hotel Imphal along Imphal-Dimapur road, a team of scientists from IBSD led by Prof Sahoo demonstrated and dug out the black topping covering the base of trees.

Space around the trees will help to absord water during rainy season and absorb required nutrients from the soil he added.

In the heart of the city many trees are dried up due to fancy tiles on footpath weaken the trees roots.

In front of Raj Bhawan and Kangla footpaths trees are dried up few years back but no steps taken up seen till today to removed and plant new saplings.

Adequate space ensures that water percolates to the roots and a reasonable temperature is maintained.

Cement, tar and debris are throttling the roots, leaving them weak to anchor the trunk and branches.

But the city's civic agencies are not ready to make amends.

Many experts across the country suggest that a minimum radius of 10 inches around the base of a tree is must for its growth and stability.

Beautification of the city and saving trees should go parallel.

State govt.should take up measures to protect trees in the city as trees are the 'Living Air Purifiers' .

Comment