CMC continues removal of high-risk trees in Colombo

11 October 2024 07:26 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 12 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, October 11 (Daily Mirror) - The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) yesterday said that it is still in the process of identifying trees that pose a risk to the public within the CMC areas and the trees already flagged as high-risk by the police and the public, are currently being removed.

Speaking to Daily Mirror, CMC Commissioner Bhadrani Jayawardena said that the CMC has three teams working to trim branches and handle all tree maintenance activities in Colombo, the commissioner added.

She also mentioned that no prior research had been done to plant trees that shed fewer leaves, flowers, or branches, have stronger trunks, or less shallow roots.

“There’s no equipment or system that can guarantee 100% whether a tree is risky,” she said. “There are many reasons why a tree in Colombo might become dangerous.”

"Colombo is the only city where we beautify by maintaining trees. As it's considered the garden city, it's tough to manage them," she added.

Ms. Jayawardena also urged the public to stay alert for hazardous trees and report them to the CMC via their emergency number, 110.

“There are trees that could cause severe damage if they fall, but they haven’t been identified as high-risk to the public,” she noted.

Meanwhile, she also said that after conducting research in collaboration with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), the CMC has identified several tree species with lower risks to the public, such as the Karanda (Pongame Oil Tree), Mee tree, Na tree, and Kobolila tree (Butterfly tree), for planting in the city of Colombo.

Comments - 12

Colombo Citizen Friday, 11 October 2024 08:03 AM

So many allegations and inquiries. Already retired from the service, but working on contract basis. Corrupt officials still continue irrespective of the changes in government. This is not what people expect.

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Treehorse Friday, 11 October 2024 08:19 AM

Commendable ! This is preventive maintenance. I see this in happening in Singapore whereby vulnerable trees are identified and pruned. Even removed if it is a fall risk.

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Ensure A Maintenance Schedule Is Prepared Friday, 11 October 2024 12:56 PM

In most developed countries such as Spore, they have schedules for tree trimming and inspections. As mentioned, need to ensure proper trees are planted at various locations. Now will need professional assistance to identify those potential hazardous trees and plant appropriate trees accordingly. In the meantime, all will need to be alert of trees toppling over especially during heavy winds.

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Tharmar Friday, 11 October 2024 08:52 AM

Very soon Colombo will be a concrete jungle. Very sad human greed on development is causing all these trees loose their life

1 11

Christo255 Friday, 11 October 2024 08:54 AM

Ha ha ha joke of this gloomy day, CMC suddenly wakes up to cut trees, as soon as rain ceases they go back to sleep. Knee jerk Institution

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Concerned man Friday, 11 October 2024 10:07 AM

There's one dangerously slanting tree in Moratuwa town. It's at the main colour lights near the railway station.

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Ram P Friday, 11 October 2024 10:10 AM

CMC is removing high risk trees at time when the votes given to Malimawa at the Presidential elections have eliminated many high risk POLITICIANS who were corrupt to the core

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Gt Friday, 11 October 2024 04:03 PM

With air quality getting worse, cutting too many trees is bad idea, maybe they want to put a house or a shop where trees were

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Das Friday, 11 October 2024 09:21 PM

Any plans by CMC to plant trees in appropriate manner , only removing greenery from City.

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Piya Edirisuriya Saturday, 12 October 2024 07:19 AM

"Colombo is the only city where we beautify by maintaining trees" Is it true?

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Tree lover Saturday, 12 October 2024 10:18 AM

100% failure of the CMC over the years. It is your job to check and maintain the trees in public places of the city. Don't say it is a difficult job to manage. Get some training and get the job done. Work together with the Colombo University, botanical gardens or even volunteers who are tree lovers for their expertise, to monitor the trees and give feedback. This is normal practice in every city of the world. And if a tree is taken down, they always plant another. If you'll can't do this job, then please give up your seat to someone who is capable and knowledgeable.

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A City Dweller Sunday, 13 October 2024 11:36 AM

Mee trees are not suitable for planting by roadsides. The reasons are: 1. The tree's fruits attract hordes of bats, resulting in litter on the ground and noise due to their fights. 2.The leaves shed abundantly requiring frequent sweeping. 3. The roots damage nearby walls and paved areas. I have personally observed the above over a period of nearly two decades. That too was a tree planted during a tree-planting campaign in Colombo. However, mee trees are ideal for planting in the countryside as they are a rich source of organic fertiliser. In fact, they used to border paddy fields in abundance in former times.

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