T’puram: A rare bidi-leaf tree was cut down to build a designer concrete arch on the state govt property in Thycaud.The slow- to moderate-growing small deciduous tree with medicinal qualities is rare in the city. It is a tree that is ideal for urban space as it adapts well to harsh weather, dry tropical climate and poor soil quality.The tree that was cut down had been growing precariously close to a compound wall. However, the state govt authorities made no attempt to preserve it, as there is no comprehensive record for institutions and departments to refer to when determining whether a tree on their premises is rare or of heritage value.Tree Walk, an NGO, has prepared a list of rare trees in several govt compounds. Despite this, a honey tree was cut down at Norka premises recently, even though the NGO had informed Norka of the tree’s significance.“We have given PWD and several govt institutions a rare-tree map covering trees in public spaces, informing them that their campuses contain trees that need to be preserved,” said Anita Sharma of Tree Walk.She said that the state govt should collaborate with a scientific institution and survey trees in the city and create a record of rare and heritage trees.“Our Tree Act is shallow, and trees are a low priority for govt departments. There are provisions in Tree Acts in other states that tells how to identify rare and heritage trees,” she added.The forest department is not involving itself in the management of urban trees, as a new rule has removed the requirement to obtain its permission to cut trees in cities. Tree cutting now comes under Disaster Management Act, and departments often prefer to cut trees to avoid liability if branches break or trees fall during rain. There is no attempt to preserve the trees.
