Concrete, tiles making trees on pavements go thirsty: Activists

HUBBALLI: Trees have become victims of various projects like BRTS, Central Road Fund roads in the twin cities. They are also being deprived of water by concrete footpaths. Contractors are covering the space around the trees with cement or tiles hindering absorption of water.
Seeing their plight, various organizations and people are demanding authorities to ensure two feet of space around the base of trees on footpaths are not covered.They conducted a sample survey of such trees and submitted a report to HDMC and forest department.
A delegation of citizens including Veena Tonapi, G Sharda, Gita Salimath, Santosh Nargund, Sharda G Patil, Dr Anita, Akash Kembhavi and Pundalik Appinbail met HDMC commissioner Prashant Kumar Mishra on Monday and demanded strict action to stop covering of space around tree roots.
Veena Tonapi, convener, Anti-liquor Initiatives, Hubballi, told TOI that encircling trees with cement or tiles is a common scene everywhere. “The irony is that when we approached the forest department seeking protection for trees from cement and tiles, they sought details of such trees from us. As individuals, we have collected details of such trees and submitted it to HDMC for further action. But our survey won’t cover the entire twin cities and HDMC has to take a call in this regard,” she added.
“We have formed a WhatsApp group called Hubli-Dharwad Swatch Balaga Group in which environmentalists like Dr Mahantesh Tapashetti are members. Other green enthusiasts like Yogesh Mahajan of Go Green Hubballi, Deepa Joshi, Parwati Korishettar, Anita Ankolekar, Sudha Venkobrao and K S Vijaya, of Rajnagar Ladies Welfare Association, Dr Renuka Dugani, Roopa Ingalgi, principal of JSS Sakri Law College and many more have joined this initiative,” said Veena.
Prabha Dodwadmath, president, Probus Club East, said that there is a need to sensitize authorities about the issue. “If we don’t provide water to trees, they won’t survive for long. Suffocation of trees definitely will cause suffocation among human beings in the near future,” she added.
Many citizens are ready to water trees in summer if authorities leave space around the trees, she said.
Directions should be issued to leave sufficient soil around trees during paving or concreting works, the activists said.