KMC seeks nod from forest dept to cut dead trees, prune branches

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) parks department is seeking urgent permission from the state forest department to cut dead trees and prune branches that are leaning dangerously, citing the risk of uprooting those during Norwesters.

It has gained urgency after two people died in the city during a thunderstorm on May 29, that lasted for an hour, in which over 65 trees toppled and more than 50 trees were damaged.

A survey conducted in July last year by the KMC had identified around 150 trees that are dangerously leaning and pose a threat to pedestrians and moving vehicles. Ward-level audits so far have flagged about 150 leaning trees.

The trees were identified along major stretches and neighbourhoods such as Aurobindo Sarani, Bidhan Sarani, Vivekananda Road, Ripon Street, Bowbazar, Rashbehari Avenue, Harish Mukherjee Road, Chetla Central Road, Nimtolla Ghat Street, Lenin Sarani, Alipore and Jadavpur. The species, include mahogany, krishnachura, radhachura, aswattha, banyan and kadam, with some believed to be nearly 100 years old.

“We have completed the first phase of the tree survey in selected wards. Based on the findings, we desperately need to cut dead trees and trim branches of leaning trees. We are awaiting the approval from the forest department to move forward,” a senior KMC parks department official said.

The KMC has plans to prune branches or fell dead trees once approval is given. Officials cautioned that even if trunks do not collapse immediately, heavy branches that fall off can cause injuries and damage.

For trees with structural issues, KMC is also considering treatment measures. “We will possibly trim the branches of the leaning trees from the side that is leaning. For trees with exposed roots, we will require to treat those and take appropriate steps,” the official said.

Naturalist Arjan Basu Roy said in urban management, sacrificing trees with vulnerability that posed a threat to life and property was important. But he cautioned that it needed to be conducted ward wise with experts overseeing the activity and not contractors.

“What is most important is that tree loss has to be replaced by trees of at least 7-8 ft height, instead of saplings, so that they survive,” said Basu Roy. The naturalist said it was significant to choose and select the right kind of species.

The survey was ordered after fatalities were reported in Kolkata and Howrah in July, 2025 when big trees collapsed during storms.