597 trees identified as dried and dead in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: As many as 597 trees in different parts of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits have been identified as old, dried, dead and dangerous. Most of them are sick and leaning on their sides. Secunderabad zone has 204 trees in a poor condition, followed by 119 in LB Nagar and 106 in Kukatpally.

A GHMC team, which inspected the trees, recommended felling of 530 of them as they might fall in bad weather, shifting of 57 and pruning of 10 trees.

A few days ago, a man died and his wife suffered serious head injuries when an old tree fell on them at Bolarum Cantonment General Hospital. The victim and his wife were walking toward the parking lot when the 30-foot-tall tree fell on them.

In this context, GHMC undertook a survey to find out how many trees in the city were old, dried up, weak, pest-infested and on the verge of collapse. Peltophorum pterocarpum (Konda Chinta) and Delonix regia (Gulmohar trees) species are the most common among these trees. GHMC officials said the inspection team had recommended felling of all 204 trees identified in Secunderabad area as dried, dead and likely to fall during bad weather conditions.

As per the rules, before taking any action such as removal or transfer, the GHMC would obtain permission from the forest department.

The team suggested removal of 78 of the 119 trees found weak in the LB Nagar area and translocation of the remaining 41 trees. Similarly, officials have recommended felling of 100 of the 106 diseased trees in Kukatpally area and shifting of six trees to different locations.

In the Charminar area, it has been recommended that all 99 trees be felled. In Khairatabad, of the 40 trees identified, 20 have been proposed for felling, 10 for translocation and 10 for pruning. In Serilingampally, all 29 trees have been proposed to be removed.