Hyderabad: Soon, all dead and hazardous trees will be removed from the city as the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has initiated a comprehensive survey to identify such trees.
Following multiple incidents of trees falling during adverse weather conditions, the agency has decided to weed out dead, withered, and hazardous trees that endanger the safety of pedestrians and motorists. Incidentally, two people have been killed this year after dried trees collapsed on them. Around 1,000 trees were knocked down across Hyderabad during rains.
In the wake of such incidents, HYDRAA, in coordination with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the forest department, started a thorough assessment of trees in all 30 GHMC circles.
Recently, officials also reviewed how the Telangana Water, Land, and Tree (WALTA) Act is being implemented in the city.
“The assessment process will conclude within seven days. Post that, priority will be given to removing unstable trees. Workers will address problematic branches by trimming and pruning them. At places where the branch reduction proves ineffective, the entire tree will be relocated to a different location,” said a senior official in HYDRAA.
“The practice of choking trees with concrete is often carried out in an improper manner, which compromises structural integrity of the tree. Species such as peltophorum and gulmohar trees are susceptible to falling. There is an urgent need for a thoughtful approach to urban tree management, ensuring that trees are given the necessary space and care to thrive and mature over time,” said Uday Krishna, a city-based environmentalist.
Following multiple incidents of trees falling during adverse weather conditions, the agency has decided to weed out dead, withered, and hazardous trees that endanger the safety of pedestrians and motorists. Incidentally, two people have been killed this year after dried trees collapsed on them. Around 1,000 trees were knocked down across Hyderabad during rains.
In the wake of such incidents, HYDRAA, in coordination with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the forest department, started a thorough assessment of trees in all 30 GHMC circles.
Recently, officials also reviewed how the Telangana Water, Land, and Tree (WALTA) Act is being implemented in the city.
“The assessment process will conclude within seven days. Post that, priority will be given to removing unstable trees. Workers will address problematic branches by trimming and pruning them. At places where the branch reduction proves ineffective, the entire tree will be relocated to a different location,” said a senior official in HYDRAA.
“The practice of choking trees with concrete is often carried out in an improper manner, which compromises structural integrity of the tree. Species such as peltophorum and gulmohar trees are susceptible to falling. There is an urgent need for a thoughtful approach to urban tree management, ensuring that trees are given the necessary space and care to thrive and mature over time,” said Uday Krishna, a city-based environmentalist.
