Kochi citizens demand urgent green restoration after extensive tree felling projects
A growing chorus of environmental advocates and concerned citizens in Kochi is demanding the urgent restoration of the city’s vital green cover, following extensive tree felling for major infrastructure projects. With the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) clearing hundreds of trees for bypass and metro extension works, the focus shifts to stringent implementation of compensatory afforestation, crucial for the city’s ecological balance and sustainable future.
The strategic corridors of Edapally-Palarivattom on NH 66 Bypass and the route for Kochi Metro’s Kakkanad extension have witnessed significant tree removal to facilitate critical flyover, underpass, and road widening initiatives. Previously lush with mature trees adorning central medians and roadside verges, these stretches are now stark reminders of the ecological cost of rapid urban development. The public outcry underscores a deep-seated concern for the city’s environmental well-being and its long-term ecological resilience.
Environmental experts are emphasising the imperative for infrastructure agencies to not merely meet, but rigorously exceed, the mandated compensatory afforestation targets. The demand is particularly potent for planting ten times the number of trees felled, followed by diligent nurturing until the saplings achieve self-sustainability. This proactive approach is deemed crucial in an era marked by escalating climate concerns, where the specter of water scarcity and declining oxygen levels due to diminishing green cover poses a definitive threat to current and future generations.
The discourse also highlights the perceived weakening of local tree committees’ powers in recent years, a development that critics argue could lead to unchecked felling of trees vital for shade, air purification, and pollution control. There is a strong call for re-empowering environmental oversight bodies, particularly advocating for a prominent role for the Forest Department within these committees, to ensure robust environmental stewardship and accountability in urban development projects.
In response to public and expert concerns, both NHAI and KMRL have affirmed their commitment to compensatory afforestation. Statements from both agencies indicate that measures are in place to plant ten times the number of trees removed, adhering to established social forestry guidelines. Funds required for these extensive plantation drives have reportedly been deposited with the relevant social forestry authorities prior to the commencement of project works, signalling an acknowledgement of their environmental responsibility.
As Kochi continues its trajectory of urbanisation, the challenge lies in striking a harmonious balance between infrastructural advancement and ecological preservation. The effective implementation of compensatory afforestation, coupled with strengthened environmental governance, will be paramount in ensuring that the city’s growth is truly sustainable, eco-friendly, and contributes to a healthier, more equitable urban environment for all its inhabitants. The long-term health of Kochi’s green lungs remains a collective responsibility.
