PLANT TAP ROOT TREES ALONG AVENUES STEPHEN DIAS, DONA PAULA
In the light of the incident of a tree that was uprooted in heavy rains and high velocity wind at Campal, it should be stressed that a scientific approach be adopted so as to ensure that such incidents in the city especially, where traffic density is high and the prospect of casualties being high due to inclement weather, be prevented. Having observed the roots of the uprooted tree, it is plain to see that this particular tree had adventitious roots. Since adventitious roots are widespread and do not grow deep into the earth, it would be suggested that botanists be taken into confidence so as to ensure that trees lining a certain road be trees that have tap roots, which are firmly entrenched and firm in the soil and are therefore unlikely to uproot easily. Another aspect of trees planted along avenues is that branches are phototropic in nature, meaning that branches grow towards sunlight and thus may always lean away from the trunk making it thus more susceptible to being uprooted when strong winds blow. Botanists with the help of the Forest Department have to tackle this issue of preventing trees from being uprooted by planting trees that have tap roots. Also adventitious root trees lining a particular avenue should be compulsorily trimmed from time to time by the Corporation of the City of Panaji or respective municipal councils and the Forest Department to prevent further occurrences of tree uprooting in the cities and towns in particular which could entail high casualties of lives. The botanist, Forest Department and the Corporation or municipal councils should team up in Goa to prevent uprooting of trees in a scientific manner. Date 28.10.2019 Senior Citizen and Panimijte for 75 years
