In a move that could bring much-needed relief to roadside trees, the Goa Government is considering the implementation of a “no-concrete zone” buffer around trees to protect their root systems and improve long-term survival.
The initiative follows a pan-India directive issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on May 21, 2025, aimed at preventing root damage and enabling water percolation for healthier trees. The State Forest Department has been tasked with studying the Delhi model of de-concretization, which mandates a one-metre radius around trees be left free of concrete and instead filled with natural soil.
“The Chief Secretary, who also serves as the Chairman of the Tree Authority, is actively looking into the issue,” a senior official told The Goan. “Most roadside trees in Goa are surrounded by concrete or interlocking pavers, which restrict root respiration and water absorption. This is contributing to tree diseases, pest infestations, and even uprooting,” the official added.
The matter gained urgency after several trees along Miramar Road were uprooted, with inspections revealing they were diseased and infested, likely due to concreted bases that compromised their root health.
Even before the NGT directive, the Goa Forest Department had begun drafting a proposal tailored to the state's conditions, based on Delhi’s de-concretization guidelines. As per the NGT order, other states like Delhi and Karnataka have already mandated that a one-metre radius around roadside trees be kept unconcreted to allow natural growth.
The Goa Government is also preparing to issue instructions to local governing bodies and the Public Works Department (PWD) to remove existing concrete from around roadside and highway trees.
Environmentalists have welcomed the step, stating that it will help combat tree stress in urban areas and prevent further ecological degradation caused by poor urban planning.