Investing in trees will result in sustainable cities with happier and healthier people – I read this adage somewhere recently and how true this sounds.
However, the governments and the people at the helm fail to understand the importance of trees in our lives.
On Friday, a 200-year-old banyan tree was cut by the Imagine Panaji Smart City to widen of road. This plan was rightly opposed by some alert activists.
“A 200-year-old banyan tree is proposed to be cut. How can we allow this? This is our natural heritage,” said Avertino Miranda of Green Brigade.
The authorities later chopped the banyan tree.
He alleged that the forest department failed to follow due process and that permission had reportedly been given without inspecting the trees.
A similar incident was reported from Calangute a few months back when a builder cut a banyan tree for construction and the locals forced the panchayat and politicians to replant the tree.
In the name of development, thousands and thousands of trees are cut every year.
In the State of Goa itself, we have seen a huge destruction for the 400 kv Tamnar transmission line.
In the name of aforestation, crores of rupees come under teh CAMPA funds from the centre, which is either unutilised or land in pockets of corrupt officials and politicians.
Importance of banyan tree
The banyan tree, also referred to as the strangler fig, is the national tree of India and native to the Indian subcontinent. Variations of this majestic tree are also found in various tropical and subtropical regions where it is not too cold for the tree to survive. It is one of the more than 750 species of fig tree.
Banyans are ecologically very important since they produce vast crops of figs that sustain many species of animals.
In turn, these animals disperse the seeds of hundreds of other plant species that help maintain the ecosystem.
For thousands of years, people have used banyans as sources of medicine. For example, today in Nepal, people use their leaves, bark, and roots to treat more than 20 disorders.
Impact of uprooting St Inez tree..
The uprooting of a huge Banyan tree St Inez can have several impacts on the local community and the environment. Banyan trees hold significant cultural, ecological, and social value, and their removal can affect various aspects of community life:
Environmental Impact: Banyan trees are ecologically important as they provide shade and habitat for various species of birds, insects, and animals. Their removal can disrupt the local ecosystem, leading to a loss of biodiversity.
Aesthetic Value: Banyan trees are often considered iconic and add to the aesthetic beauty of the surroundings. The uprooting of such a large tree can change the visual landscape of the area and affect its overall appeal.
Cultural Significance: Banyan trees have cultural and religious significance in many communities. They are often considered sacred or associated with local traditions and rituals. The removal of a Banyan tree can be deeply distressing for those who have emotional connections to it.
Community Gathering Space: Large Banyan trees often serve as natural gathering spaces for community events, social interactions, and cultural activities. The loss of such a tree can impact the sense of community and shared identity.
Shade and Cooling Effects: Banyan trees provide shade and help in reducing the urban heat island effect in hot climates. Their removal can result in increased temperatures in the area and discomfort for residents.
Air Quality: Trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. The loss of a large Banyan tree can impact local air quality and contribute to increased greenhouse gas levels.
Soil Erosion: Banyan trees have extensive root systems that help in stabilizing soil and preventing erosion. Removing such a tree can lead to soil erosion, especially during heavy rains.
Property Value: The presence of a large, mature tree can positively impact property values in the area. Its removal might affect property values for nearby residents and businesses.
Psychological Impact: Trees have been shown to have a positive impact on mental well-being, providing a calming and stress-reducing effect on people. The loss of a prominent tree can have psychological effects on the local community.
Public Opinion: The uprooting of a large Banyan tree may evoke strong reactions from the local community and environmental activists. Public opinion and outcry can influence local policies and decision-making regarding tree preservation and urban development.
It is essential for communities and authorities to consider the broader implications of removing significant trees like Banyan trees and explore alternatives such as tree transplantation or preservation measures whenever possible.
Taking into account the ecological, cultural, and social value of such trees is crucial in promoting sustainable development and maintaining the well-being of local communities.
Why cut the trees when they
are only beneficial to humans?
Trees play a critical role for people and the planet. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the presence of trees and urban nature can improve people’s mental and physical health, children’s attention and test scores, property values in a neighbourhood, and beyond.
Trees cool our urban centres and are essential for healthy communities and people. The benefits that trees provide can help cities and countries meet 15 of the 17 internationally supported United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
We feel that trees should be considered an important part of the equation by project managers like Smart City or PWD and civic leaders as we collectively work toward reaching these sustainability goals.
We live in an era influenced by humans to the point that the Earth’s systems are now altered.
In addition, a majority of the world’s population live in cities. To meet the needs of people in a changing world, The United Nations General Assembly created the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) to improve the quality of life for people. These broad goals outline the greatest challenges of our time. An effective strategy to assist in meeting these goals is to plant and protect trees, especially in cities where the majority of people live.
Climate effect…
While cities are getting hotter, trees can reduce urban temperatures. They provide habitat and food for animals. Finally, trees are valuable green infrastructure to manage stormwater.
Money spent on urban forestry has a high return on investment. As we navigate this human-dominated era, we need skilled people who understand the nuances of the built environment and trees as we strategically plan the cities of the future. The overwhelming evidence from the scientific literature suggests that investing in trees is an investment in meeting the UN SDG, and ultimately an investment for a better world.
There is a link between trees, green spaces and mortality, and it is documented in the literature (James, Hart, Banay, & Laden, 2016; Nowak et al., 2018; Villeneuve et al., 2012). In one particular study, the authors associated the increase in cardiovascular and respiratory deaths with the infestation and death of ash trees (genus Fraxinus) in counties within the United States (Donovan et al., 2013).
Having more trees, especially the right mature species planted in the right locations, can reduce particulate matter and other forms of air pollution, which could reduce mortality and morbidity in our urban centres.
Beyond pollution removal, the presence of trees provides additional direct and indirect benefits to human health and wellness.
One of the key ways to limit the impacts of climate change is to reduce the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere. Trees are beneficial for storing carbon, which is a major contributor to climate change.
Urban forests
If we want to have the benefits of urban trees in the future, we must think of our urban forests as an investment. Like any investment, if trees are not cared for, they depreciate in value and can become a liability. Through planting and care, however, urban forests can have compounding benefits, trickling through every layer of society, leading to a better world. As the proverb says, “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago, the second best time is now.” We must act now for a better world.
