On World Environment Day (June 5), the Greater Chennai Corporation proudly planted one lakh trees. But when asked what Chennai’s total tree count is now, there’s silence. Unlike other major Indian metros, Chennai has never completed a comprehensive tree census — and isn’t conducting one now either.
Cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru have already mapped their green wealth. Mumbai, for instance, reported over 29 lakh trees in its 2017 census. Pune completed its count in 2016. Bengaluru has gone a step further with an institutional Tree Committee under Karnataka’s tree protection law. Chennai, meanwhile, has only flirted with census plans over the past decade, none of which bore fruit.
Officials confirm that there’s no current census in progress. Previous efforts, like a limited 2011 count by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department and a 2017 geo-tagging plan under the Smart City Mission, were partial and inconclusive.
Worryingly, a joint study by the Centre for Science and Environment and CMDA shows the city’s green cover has dropped from 34.2% in 2003 to 20.5% in 2023. Meanwhile, Chennai’s built-up area has exploded to 72.9%, fueling Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects of 2.5–3°C in hotspots like Teynampet and Egmore.
Experts urge immediate green audits. NGOs like Nizhal have shown this is feasible. In 2016, their GIS-based study in Ward 176 proved that structured tree data — including health, species, and damage assessment — is achievable and crucial for urban planning.