Tree Count to Prevent Mishaps

BANGALORE: In an initiative to prevent tree uprooting incidents during monsoon, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is planning to conduct census of trees across the city. BBMP Commissioner M K Shankarlinge Gowda said the tree census will be similar to human census. This will help Palike identify trees that are weak and could fall anytime. “We can trim or cut such trees instead of trimming all the trees. The census will be held at ward level,” Gowda said. Also, the census will help Palike identify what species of trees are vulnerable to rain and heavy wind. Further, Gowda said to begin with, they have conducted census at Hampinagar ward. “We have estimated a cost of `3 crore for this project. At the end, Palike will get comprehensive information,” he said. However, the Palike will prune trees with shallow roots as a safety measure. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) A K Verma said his officials will visit BBMP nursery and check the saplings that can be planted in Bangalore. “We will see that these saplings, when they grow do not get uprooted,” he said.