Shimla, July 2,
With the onset of the monsoon season, residents of Shimla, especially those living near towering Deodar and other trees, are gripped by fear. Nestled amidst dense forests and declared non-felling zones, Shimla’s 23 green belts are home to numerous lopsided and branchless trees, some so tall that they pose a significant threat to homes and lives below. This fear is well-founded; last year’s heavy rains caused over 800 trees to fall, resulting in substantial damage to property and life, while another 1,500 trees were uprooted in landslides.
The Tree Authority Committee, chaired by Shimla’s Mayor Surendra Chauhan and comprising local officials like the DFO, SDM, MC Commissioner, and local councillors and MLAs, has initiated an extensive inspection and pruning plan. This committee, which meets infrequently, has the authority to sanction the felling of dangerous trees, especially in landslide-prone areas. In emergencies, the committee can approve the removal of up to five trees per plot under special clauses.
The urgency of the situation is evident as the municipal corporation has received over 450 applications from residents requesting the removal of threatening trees. On the first day of inspection, 25 trees were examined in areas such as Tarahall, Komli Bank, Police Line Kathu, Lakkar Bazaar, and Rivoli Bus. The mayor has directed the forest department to expedite their report to the government’s sub-committee for prompt approval.
However, the process of cutting down dangerous trees is lengthy and bureaucratic, requiring multiple levels of inspection and approval. This delay has heightened anxiety among residents, who fear the impending collapse of these trees during the rains. Recently, Congress worker Davinder Bhatt from Kaithu ward raised this issue aggressively on social media.
Mayor Chauhan has committed to visiting all wards, completing the inspections, and sending the necessary reports to the government to expedite the process and provide early relief.
The presence of these trees, particularly the Deodar and pine trees with their weak root systems, is a double-edged sword for Shimla. While they provide much-needed shade and oxygen during the summer, they become hazardous during the monsoon, thunderstorm, and snowfall seasons. The lush greenery, a boon in good weather, turns into a bane during inclement conditions.
As the monsoon season commences with an alert for the city until July 6, the residents of Shimla are bracing themselves for sleepless nights, hoping that the Tree Authority Committee’s swift action will mitigate the risk posed by these towering threats.
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