A large tree came crashing down near Bengaluru’s Shivananda Circle on Friday afternoon, leaving two individuals injured. The incident occurred around 1:30 pm and involved an Indian Cork Tree (Millingtonia hortensis), commonly called Akash Mallige in the region.
According to reports, the tree unexpectedly toppled over, injuring a passerby employed at a private bank and another working at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. The banker reportedly sustained an ankle injury, while the CKP staff member hurt their arm. Fortunately, no life-threatening injuries were reported.
Forest department officials later arrived at the scene to assess the cause. Santosh Kumar M S, Assistant Conservator of Forests, explained that the tree measured approximately 25 to 30 feet in height and was around three decades old. He noted that its roots had deteriorated significantly over time.
“The roots were entirely encased in concrete from the footpath, which restricted their access to water and nutrients,” Kumar stated. He added that the tree had not been flagged for any concerns in the past, and this was the first such incident reported involving it.
The fall has once again brought attention to the dangers posed by encroached and neglected urban greenery. The BBMP has recently emphasized the need to review and rejuvenate roadside trees, especially those affected by construction and concrete cover.
Urban development must consider the health of trees to prevent such incidents in future.
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