Stop the Indiscriminate Felling of Trees Whether they are Religious or Not?

By
Alfie Dsouza, Team Mangalorean.
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Stop the Indiscriminate Felling of Trees Whether they are Religious or Not?

Stop the Indiscriminate Felling of Trees Whether they are Religious or Not? A bunch of trees have been cut near Kadri market on Tuesday, 4 March for developmental purpose.

Mangaluru: What is so funny is that while a large number of trees are cut for development purposes, but only a few trees are saved, either when objected by the environmental activists or either the tree has to be a religious one, like a Ashvatha Tree. This doesn’t make any sense at all- irrespective of their nature/species or religious connection, trees should not be cut whatsoever. Yes, is true that some trees are sacred in India, and often associated with a god or a goddess. Some scholars believe that it is the tree that was worshiped first, maybe for its medicinal or symbolic purpose, and that the gods and goddesses came later. That may be the case but today trees are an integral part of a deity’s symbolism. And one tree, the Ashvatha ( Peepal) which is associated with Yama, the God of death and the tree is often planted outside the village near crematoriums, is always spared from felling.

Couple of months ago a large Peepal Tree grown near Bunts Hostel Road was saved from the hands of tree cutters by Saffron activists and environmentalist, since the tree was sacred and need to be saved. So this said tree was transplanted a few yards away at a cost of Rs 3 lakhs plus in front of Sujir C V Nayak Hall, and it is surviving since the taxi drivers who park their cars near to this tree, water it daily, if not it would have been dead, like a bunch of other transplanted trees in the city, which have dried up. A peepal tree has been saved in front of Infosys, even though the road had to be divided due to this tree. Name and values of trees matters, I guess!

While a few trees are saved in the city depending on their identity, many others are chopped down either for road development or the trees are blocking the view. So why all this discrimination against the innocent trees. Recently a bunch of trees were felled opposite to Kadri Market, to give way for a MCC project that is coming up in that area. Months ago a large number of trees were cut in Padil to make way for DC’s office which is constructed now. Also a bunch of trees were felled for the widening of Old Port Road/Bunder Rd near Hotel Taj Gateway- and similar like these many trees are cut unknowing to the environmental activists or tree lovers.

And yesterday, 4 March, a bunch of trees have been felled adjacent to Kadri market, near to Kanara Club, which is making way for the parking lot for the nearby Congress Office and market goers, as per the rumuors. When asked whether permission was taken to cut the trees, one of the person supervising the felling process said that the forest department has given permission. So its really strange that permission is given to cut certain trees, while others are restricted. Does it many any sense- what you have to say?

But why Cut Down Trees When They Can Be Translocated in some cases and not in some other cases? Many a times tree lovers, environmentalists and residents in the City are up in arms when they hear about felling of trees to make way for road widening or development purposes. Is there no way in which these large, old trees can be saved from sure death? Urbanization and development are an inevitable part of living today. Road widening and other developments has to happen in every city, but, this comes at the cost of losing green cover. Though transplantation and translocation of trees is an age-old activity the world across, it is rarely looked to as a solution before a tree is brought down.

It is indeed amazing that a solution to the felling of large trees exists with humans for many centuries now. It is heartening to know that in most countries, the world over, trees are not cut down but are instead translocated. However, for some reason, in India, and for that matter, here in Mangaluru, this is not popular as yet, but only in rare occasions. We all know that trees play a very important role in protecting the lives of all other living beings found around them. Most of our activities generate plenty of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases that pollute the atmosphere, and it is only trees that can convert these gases into oxygen and help counter the ill-effects.

Trees take many years to grow and once fully grown, many species can live for more than a hundred years. The loss of even one tree in a vicinity can cause an imbalance in the natural wealth and health of the surrounding area. Sources reveal that trees like gulmohar, neem, jamun, mango, peepal and other ficus species can be easily translocated. The process is slow and takes time and what makes it expensive is basically the need to hire earth movers, cranes and trailers says Jeeth Roche, who is the only person in Mangaluru doing his social service in Transplanting trees.

“Tree translocation is a tedious process, which has to be done very carefully. Once the tree is identified, the earth around the roots (at least 4 feet in diameter and depth) is dug and the roots are treated with chemicals to help in the transportation. After a week the tree is lifted with a crane and the roots are packed up in a large jute bag, making a root ball out of them. A tree being lowered into the trench in the new location. The tree with most of its branches pruned, is then transported in a trolley to the new place, where a root ball trench has already been made and the soil has been treated with anti-pest and anti-disease chemicals. The tree is planted in the new trench, and for the next couple of months requires close monitoring” adds Jeeth Roche.

So if transplanting is possible why then cut trees? By cutting lots of trees and saving a few by translocating will not serve the purpose, rather than discrimination. With our City rapidly losing green cover due to infrastructure and developmental work, there is an urgent need for more research on the viability of tree translocation, and it is becoming increasingly important that we take steps to save each and every full-grown tree. In conclusion in my perspective, why is that some trees are saved depending on their nature and names, while other trees are cut no matter what the circumstances are. That is TOTAL DISCRIMINATION against trees?

Transplanting trees in certain cases, and chopping it down in other cases, is Total nonsense, and doesn’t make any sense. Trees need to be shifted no matter what, either they got uprooted by weather or they are obstructing a development project. Why can’t the forest department make ONE RULE- no felling of trees whatsoever, could it be a religious or a common tree. Both have lives, don’t they? So SAVE TREES & NOT CUT TREES!

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