Bangalore:
The heavy rain lashing the city over the past month took a major toll on trees. Over the weekend, more than 30 trees came crashing down, thus increasing the number of fallen trees in the last week to 50.
Visits to BBMP control rooms revealed serious lapses of precautionary measures to safeguard the Garden City's prized tree cover.
Phone lines were abuzz with complaints coming in from areas where rain related casualties were reported. However, cases of uprooted trees topped the list.
BBMP's Western control room registered the highest number of complaints.
"We received almost 50 complaints of trees being uprooted and immediately dispatched officials to examine the affected areas and have the trees brought down before more damage was caused.
However, at some places, the damage had already been done before we reached there," said Byallegowda, a BBMP official.
Officials from the East control room were also on their toes throughout the weekend, registering about 30 complaints. Nirmala Devi, an official said, "Although the number of complaints rose during the weekend, we have established contact with the MET department to be prepared for the coming week."
The situation at the MET department's control room was no different as callers seeking updates on the weather jammed the phones lines. The department issued warnings to expect heavy showers and thunderstorms over the week.
While officials have been examining areas where drains are flooded, BBMP's horticulture department remained ignorant about the damage caused.
"It seems like the special horticulture wing of the BBMP are in deep slumber. They don't examine, survey or even conduct census for trees in the city. They need to be more active to deal with the problem, lest the city loses its greenery," said Neeta Fernandes, an environmentalist.
Renowned environmentalist Suresh Heblikar shared the same feelings. "Trees in the city are not planted scientifically. Many trees cannot withstand a heavy shower. The reason being that proper space is not allocated around trees when saplings are planted."
Residents from various areas are hoping that the sheer number of trees being uprooted will cause a stir in the department and lead to better planning.
Udaykumar, a resident of Frazer Town said, "On Friday, I saw about six uprooted trees in various areas while travelling back from work. Shockingly, officials took none of these complaints seriously and they reached our area after two hours.
By then the residents had already cleared most of the debris to ease traffic flow." Demanding proactive responses by the BBMP, director of Karnataka Horticulture Department N Jayaram said, "They have a special wing to deal with precisely these complaints and should address the problem seriously."
Trees uprooted
May 12: 10
May 13: 15
May 14: 6
Complaints filed
General Control Room: 25
East Control Room: 31
West Control Room: 50
Central Control Room: 15
South Control Room: 11
Mysore Road Zone: 03
Yelahanka Zone: 05
Bommanahalli Zone: 05
Mahadeva Zone: 03