The Kolkata Municipal Corporation will start demolition of concrete structures built around the base of trees all over the city following an order of the Calcutta High Court on Friday.
A division bench of the Calcutta High Court has asked the municipal commissioner to take urgent steps to demolish concrete structures built around the base of trees, in order to ensure that the roots get enough water, air and nourishment.
Following the order, the KMC has asked the parks and gardens department to engage an organisation to identify the trees from all over the city and to begin the demolition of these concrete structures.
The city’s green stretches on Southern Avenue, Golf Green, Ballygunge Circular Road, Park Street, Camac Street, Theatre Road, Rash Behari Avenue – are full of trees with concrete structures built around them that prevent the roots from getting enough water that is necessary for their growth and survival. During storms, several trees get uprooted as their roots become weak and they are unable to fend for themselves. These concrete structures are of varying shapes and sizes and are often built either for “beautification” or because they are used as places for pedestrians to use as “seats” – as shades below huge trees. But the health of the trees is compromised as a result.
The High Court has asked the KMC to submit an action taken report by August. The municipal body has been asked to take help of the police if they face opposition during the demolition drive.
Green activists have said that there needs to be a specific policy by the government that permanently prevents any organisation from building these concrete structures in the name of beautification.
