BMC pledges to restore green cover after citizens flag rapid tree felling

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has pledged to restore and increase green cover in the capital city after concerns were raised by citizen reporters over the trend of rapid tree felling.Citizen reporter Akash Nayak wrote that tree felling has become a disturbing trend recently. “The merciless cutting of different kinds of trees in the name of development is not only costing a greenery loss but also causing environmental degradation,” he wrote on TOI Citizen Reporter platform.“If the trend continues, we will be looking at a dangerous future where life will be at stake. It is high time that the authorities look after the issue seriously before it gets too late,” he wrote, adding that trees need to be maintained and in no way should they be felled.Another citizen reporter, Ridhima Acharya, highlighted the trimming of branches by authorities, which she claimed was often unnecessary. She stated that authorities cut tree branches even if when they don’t pose any obstruction to roads or footpaths.“Scenes are common these days where trees are being cut and processed at the same place as if to hide the evidence of a crime. Recently, there was a drive in the airport area, but in the name of tree trimming, the BMC has cut down large branches. This should be completely avoided to maintain the greenery of Bhubaneswar,” she wrote.Citizen reporter Joseph John warned of a ‘disaster unfolding’ in Bhubaneswar. “It is the rapid loss of the green cover in the city. Recently, hundreds of trees were cut at Sikharchandi, Buddha Vihar and Salia Sahi in the name of development. The sights are really disturbing,” he wrote.Responding to concerns, mayor Sulochana Das said that large-scale plantation drives have been taken up in the last one year and will be intensified to an even greater scale next year. She said that the civic body plans to plant more than 10,000 saplings in the next few months.“Through the Miyawaki plantation drive, we are creating small forests and have already planted 15,000 native saplings on 5 acres of land. Avenue plantation has seen 30,000 saplings being planted. We will be exploring the option of translocation in case big trees are being cut for any purpose,” she said.