Tree Fall Incidents In Pune Hit 4-Year High
Tree Fall Incidents In Pune Hit 4-Year High(Representative Image)
Pune witnessed a significant surge in tree fall incidents this year, with the fire brigade reporting a 68% increase in such incidents compared to last year. Data from the Pune fire brigade showed that tree fall incidents were the highest in four years in 2024, while garbage fires were the second highest in four years.
According to the fire brigade, tree falls rose 45% compared to 2020, while there were 68% more incidents since last year. Garbage fires increased by almost 58% this year compared to 2020, though they were almost on a par with last year’s figures.
The fire brigade dealt with a total of 5,628 incidents this year until November, including 160 vehicle fires and 388 fires at grasslands. PMC attributes the increase in tree fall incidents to heavy rainfall and strong winds during the monsoon season.
However, environmentalists pointed out that strong winds and heavy rainfall were not the only reasons for tree falls. Agricultural scientist emphasized the need to plant native trees, which have a stronger wood structure than non-native trees. He also highlighted the problem of concreting roads around trees, which disrupts their balance system.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been urged to adopt more scientific methods for pruning trees. Meanwhile, the fire brigade has appealed to residents to take responsibility for disposing of garbage properly, as the practice of disposing garbage just anywhere needs to stop.
With winter setting in, the fire brigade expects the number of incidents to drop. However, the deteriorating air quality across the city has been linked to the rise in garbage fires, emphasizing the need for sustainable waste management practices.
