More than 200 fruit trees to boost Salt Lake green cover
Times of India | 7 June 2025
12 Kolkata: The Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) will plant over 200 small and medium-sized fruit trees of different varieties across Salt Lake.BMC MMIC (Environment) Rahima Bibi Mondal said saplings of mango, rose apple, guava, sapota, and other trees will be planted at various locations. "The fruit trees will be planted along the roads and parks. Surveys are being carried out to find suitable locations for plantation. The aim is to increase greenery," Mondal said.It was earlier decided by the civic authorities that henceforth, only small and medium-sized flower and fruit trees would be planted instead of the taller varieties. This decision was taken to ensure better urban planning and safety, as a number of accidents had occurred recently due to tall trees getting uprooted and falling on the road.Two years ago, 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.Horticulture experts mentioned that the nature of the soil in Salt Lake is such that large trees, which have deep roots, should not be planted on the roadside boulevards as they cannot penetrate deep into the soil. "Instead, small or medium-sized palm trees should be considered," said an expert.The civic authorities have started conducting a fresh tall tree health survey across Salt Lake. "Councillors are providing a list of tall trees that are in bad shape. Those that are dead or in a very damaged state will be uprooted, and other trees will be trimmed to reduce their weight so that they can properly stand. Trees showing signs of decay or structural weakness will either be treated by trimming or cutting off the damaged portions or be removed if necessary and replaced with suitable small or medium-sized trees," said a civic official.Residents are welcoming the civic body's move, saying that tall trees had fallen several times at different places, not only causing accidents but also damaging public utilities like cars and boundary walls of parks.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes, messages, and quotes !