Nizhal
In 2007, as part of the widening of Sardar Patel Road, nearly 80 rain trees came under threat, some above 80 years old.
“Our protest did not succeed because we could not generate enough public mobilisation and, eventually, the trees were cut,” says T D Babu, marine biologist and trustee of Nizhal. At present, contractors often undertake pruning based on their own practices or residents’ demands, without adequately considering the structural stability and health of the trees, says Babu. “Advanced pruning equipment is available, but work is often carried out in an unscientific manner. ” Over the decades, a multitude of environmentawl and tree protection agencies have come up, but despite their efforts, Chennai’s tree cover remains at 14% as against the generally recommended benchmark of 33% and continues to decline. The govt needs to do the rest,” says Shobha.
There were hardly any tree protection group at the time, and the NGO Nizhal, still in its nascent stages, protested, suggesting alternatives such as using a service lane. But the incident highlighted the importance of having an inventory of trees in public spaces and the NGO subsequently undertook tree mapping and documented the existing trees. The organisation continues to advocate proper tree maintenance and tree-health management, including scientific pruning. “We can only make recommendations and work towards sensitising the community.