Residents of Bhubaneswar have sounded a loud alarm over what they describe as a disturbing and rapid loss of the city's green cover due to unchecked tree felling. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has now responded with assurances of large-scale restoration efforts, pledging to plant thousands of new trees.
Citizen Reporters Highlight a 'Disturbing Trend'
Concerned citizens have taken to public platforms to voice their distress over the widespread cutting of trees. Akash Nayak, a citizen reporter, wrote that the merciless cutting of various trees in the name of development is leading to significant greenery loss and environmental degradation. He warned that if this trend continues, the city faces a dangerous future where life could be at stake, urging authorities to act seriously before it is too late.
Another reporter, Ridhima Acharya, criticized what she sees as unnecessary and excessive trimming of tree branches by authorities. She stated that branches are often cut even when they pose no obstruction to roads or footpaths. Acharya described common scenes where trees are cut and processed on the spot, almost as if to hide evidence, citing a recent drive in the airport area where large branches were removed under the guise of trimming.
Warnings of an Unfolding 'Disaster'
The concerns are echoed by citizen reporter Joseph John, who warned of a 'disaster unfolding' in the Odisha capital. He pointed to the recent felling of hundreds of trees at locations like Sikharchandi, Buddha Vihar, and Salia Sahi, all in the name of development, calling the sights truly disturbing. These reports collectively paint a picture of a city rapidly losing its vital green lungs, prompting calls for immediate intervention.
BMC's Green Pledge: Miyawaki Forests and Translocation
Responding to the growing public outcry, Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das outlined the civic body's plans to counter the green cover loss. She emphasized that large-scale plantation drives have been undertaken over the past year and will be intensified on an even greater scale next year.
The BMC plans to plant more than 10,000 saplings in the coming months alone. Mayor Das highlighted specific initiatives, including the Miyawaki plantation method, which creates dense, fast-growing native forests. Already, 15,000 native saplings have been planted on 5 acres of land using this technique. Furthermore, avenue plantation has seen 30,000 saplings being planted across the city.
Addressing the core issue of mature trees being cut, the Mayor stated that the corporation will explore the option of translocation. This means that in cases where large trees must be removed for development projects, efforts will be made to relocate them instead of simply cutting them down. This pledge is a direct response to the citizens' demand for better tree maintenance and preservation.
The situation highlights the ongoing tension between urban development and ecological conservation. While the BMC's promised actions offer a path toward restoration, citizens remain watchful, hoping the pledge translates into tangible protection for Bhubaneswar's remaining greenery and a healthier future for the city.
