123 Kolkata: The Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed more than double the budgetary allocations for the environment compared to last year, increasing from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. They have also proposed increased allocations for better maintenance of parks and gardens from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 1.2 crore in the upcoming financial year starting from April 1, to reclaim and improve greenery and for better maintenance of the parks and playgrounds across Salt Lake and Rajarhat Gopalpur.
BMC officials said that they aim to take up avenue plantation by planting only small and medium-sized trees which are suitable for the soil nature of the township.Champions Trophy 2025IND vs PAK Live: Virat Kohli leads India's run chase vs Pakistan in DubaiIND vs PAK: Virat Kohli reaches 14,000 ODI runs in 299th matchHardik Pandya vs Babar Azam: Social media sparks meme fest after Pandya’s send-off to Pakistan batter
"Trees having large canopies are pruned periodically from the top to reduce their overall weight while fully dead or damaged trees are uprooted with the forest department's permission. Previously, over 50 such damaged trees were uprooted, and more such trees which are dangerously leaning forward in many places will be removed. Medium-sized fruit trees will be planted in those places," civic officials said.
Following a tree health audit that was first carried out in 2022, about 100 tall trees across Salt Lake were found to be in bad shape, with many dangerously leaning forward. Civic officials said that several such damaged or dead tall and large trees had to be cut down as previously a few accidents occurred. Earlier last year, a 40-year-old died after succumbing to injuries a few days after a large dead tree fell on him inside a cluster at Salt Lake's Purbachal housing.
"The nature of soil in Salt Lake is such that large trees, which have deep roots, should not be planted on the roadside boulevards as it cannot penetrate deep and often tends to get disbalanced. For avenue plantation in Salt Lake, only small or medium-sized palm trees should be considered," said a horticulture expert.
Regarding the parks and playgrounds across Salt Lake, many of them need to be repaired on an urgent basis. In some of the parks, the boundary walls have collapsed due to large trees crushing the ground, and children's play furniture is damaged in some other parks with long and overgrown weeds in the corners.
Many of the parks need to have overall regular maintenance, residents said. "Parks are often messed up. There are a few parks which are maintained but overall better maintenance is needed. As for greenary, more trees should be planted," said Krishnendu Chowdhury, a resident of CK-CL block.
"The aim is to repair and conduct regular maintenance of the parks and playgrounds," said a civic official.
Stay updated with breaking news, bank holidays and upcoming public holidays in march.