Coimbatore: More than 100 trees, mostly exotic species like eucalyptus, collapsed across Nilgiris district during recent unseasonal rains from May 25 to 30, severely impacting roads and infrastructure. P Krishnamurthy, District Fire Officer, Nilgiris, noted the unusual frequency of tree falls in May, typically a dry month in the hills.
Fire and rescue teams, along with the highways, forest department, local bodies, SDRF, and NDRF, responded to nearly 95 incidents of tree falls within five days, with Ooty, Gudalur, Kundah, and Pandalur taluks hardest hit. Coonoor and Kotagiri taluks faced minimal damage. Station Officer S Sridhar from Ooty Fire Station said over 67 calls were attended in just a week.
Though some weak and dangerous trees had been axed earlier, heavy rains accompanied by strong winds triggered this surge in tree collapses. With the southwest monsoon approaching, experts warn more tree falls are likely as soil remains damp.
Environmentalists attribute the problem to indiscriminate hill cutting, road expansion, and herbicide use that weakens soil. Dr S Rajan, retired scientist, explained that herbicides make soil porous, causing exotic trees with shallow roots to topple during rains. He urged gradual removal of exotic trees and immediate felling of dangerous roadside trees to prevent accidents.
The issue underscores the delicate balance between development and environmental preservation in the fragile hill ecosystem of Nilgiris.