Cutting tree roots for development endangers Colombo roads

By Mangala Pavithrani

Colombo, Sept. 26 (Daily Mirror) - The root systems of trees along Colombo’s roads do not allow them to grow properly, and the cutting of roots for development projects has created risks to the main roads, Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Engineer Manjula Karunaratne told the Daily Mirror.

He said that cutting down roadside trees could also cause environmental problems. Therefore, the CMC has implemented a special programme to manage risks posed by trees using modern technologies.

The Municipal Council’s aim is to minimise tree falls, falling branches and road blockages while protecting trees, Karunaratne noted.

“Even when we look at trees from the surface, we cannot see the condition of their underground roots. The CMC uses a machine to examine the trunks of trees identified as dangerous and determine their strength. However, the biggest challenge at present is the lack of a method to examine the condition of the roots. We are working to implement a system for that in the future. The current programme mainly involves cutting down the branches of large roadside trees,” Karunaratne explained.

He further added that since local government institutions have full authority over trees, they have been instructed to take necessary measures regarding dangerous trees in every city.