SHILLONG: The State Government has identified as many as 500 trees in the city which are considered vulnerable and would be cut down.
The statement came from the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Revenue & Disaster Management Department, R C Laloo after a review meeting was held here on Wednesday with all the important heads of the department to take stock of the prevailing situation arising out of the incessant and torrential downpour in almost all parts of the State.
Laloo said that apart from the 500 trees which have been identified to be chopped off, even people of the city have informed the Government about 50 weak trees in different localities which needs to be cut immediately.
However, the Forest department will have to plant many more trees in the city since they will have to cut down a huge number of trees.
Laloo said that as per the rules, 6000 trees would have to be plant if 600 trees are being cut and the process is on to identify the places where trees can be planted.
“I have asked all the department to prepare their contingency plans and pass it on to the Deputy Commissioners. The DCs will be asked to take a review of the situation frequently,” Laloo told media persons after the meeting.
Stating that the government has asked all the departments to remain alert, he, however, added that the Forest Department did not have any compensation scheme but three people who were killed recently because of a tree fall would be provided ex-gratia through state disaster funds.
“We are working on the principle of hope for the best, prepare for the worst and worst would never come,” Laloo added.
On being asked about the recent incident where the uprooting of the massive tree from Raj Bhawan led to the death of three people, Laloo said that even before the incident, the Forest department in May this year had reviewed the matter of weak trees in the city.
According to Laloo, an exercise was conducted and some trees were identified and cut down in Raj Bhawan earlier.
However, Laloo pointed out that the particular tree which uprooted recently was still strong but those type of trees did not have roots down below and they have fibre roots as per the Forest department.
“ Since the branches of tree was huge, It became heavy and collapsed,” he said.