Team Herald
PANJIM: Against the backdrop of widespread opposition to the proposed cutting of trees in and around Margao, a former member of the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) has written to the South Goa District Collector Ruchika Katyal, raising objections to her order.
Dr Antonio Mascarenhas, former scientist at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Dona Paula and a former member of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) said that he was upset to hear that the District Collector had ordered several trees around the Margao town to be chopped.
“There is no plausible reason for this. Several trees have indeed overgrown and now have a large canopy. Since the centre of gravity is too high, these trees become unstable, and topple under heavy wind. This eventuality can be avoided,” he said.
“All such trees, and for that matter all trees around the town, need to be pruned to a maximum height of say 6-8 metres above ground level. Within a few months, these trimmed branches sprout and become bushy, with plenty of leaf cover, due to which nutrients remain localised, the trees get stronger, remain stable, and yield more fruit, if fruit bearing, or produce more flowers, if ornamental,” he added.
“As a former member of Goa State Biodiversity Board, I therefore strongly advise and request you to prune all town trees horizontally to a desirable height (8 metres maximum). None of these trees merit removal,” he concluded.
