Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Panel moots axing of 12 avenue trees along Museum-Kowdiar road

Staff Reporter

PWD had mooted axing of 23 trees, inviting fierce criticism

SAVED FOR NOW: The avenue trees lining the Meuseum- Vellayambalam road. - Photo: S. Mahinsha

Thiruvananthapuram: As many as 12 avenue trees lining the Museum-Kowdiar road will have to be axed to avoid accidents to motorists and pedestrians, according to the report of an official-level committee headed by Revenue Divisional Officer K.V. Mohankumar.

In its report submitted to District Collector N. Ayyappan on Thursday, the committee observed that the road works in the area had irreparably damaged the root system of the 12 trees, leaving them in a dangerous condition. It however noted that 12 other trees that were categorised by the PWD as unsafe, could be salvaged by protective measures.

The committee recommended a compensatory plantation programme to replace each felled tree with 10 new ones. Mr. Mohankumar said the committee had inspected each tree before coming to a conclusion. Earlier, the PWD had called for 23 trees to be felled, inviting fierce criticism from nature lovers and concerned citizens.

Mr. Mohankumar said 11 trees by the roadside and one inside the premises of a church near the Raj Bhavan had been identified as unsafe and beyond any chance of rescue. "With their roots cut off, these trees are tilting to one side and are in imminent danger of toppling," he said. The trees to be axed belong to the exotic species of peltofoum and jacaranda.

The committee shot down the PWD proposal to cut down trees in the areas earmarked for construction of four bus bays from the Museum to the Raj Bhavan. It said it was up to the Government to take a final decision on the matter. Mr. Mohankumar said the 12 trees identified as not dangerous could be saved by providing stay wire support.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Ministerial team presses State's demands
Jayamala's claim: Crime Branch probe sought
Panel moots axing of 12 avenue trees along Museum-Kowdiar road
Wayanad Ghat Road to get a facelift
Irregularity in supply: action against nine ration shops
Students take over the reins, for a day
Two held on charge of selling pirated CDs
Search for missing men to resume today
Applications invited
Helpline for students to be launched today
SSLC SAY results published
Keeping with tradition
Around The City
In Thiruvananthapuram Today

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu