SHILLONG, AUG 16: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Revenue & Disaster Management department Roytre C Laloo today said the government has identified over 500 precarious trees in the city and the forest department is on the job to clear them.
“The forest department has identified around 550 old and risky trees so far,” Laloo told reporters after chairing a review meeting with all the heads of different departments to take stock of the prevailing situation arising out of the incessant downpour in the state here.
Informing that the department have also sought for public information on such trees, he said, “It is very good, people have responded to this. People have identified 50 trees which needs to be cut immediately and they are coordinating with the forest department.”
The exercise came following last week’s tragic accident near the Raj Bhavan in which three persons died on the spot when they were crushed to death after a huge tree fell on top of a taxi which they were travelling in.
Asked, the deputy chief minister however said even before the incident, a meeting was already convened by the chief secretary on May earlier this year, for identifying such old and risky trees in the city and that the process was ongoing.
“Trees have been identified which also include in the Raj Bhavan and forest people have also cut some trees but this particular tree (which fell on top of the taxi), if you look at it, they feels that it was still very strong,” he said.
Laloo went on to state that this type of trees (eucalyptus), they don’t have roots down below as they have only superficial roots (or fibre root) and when the weight of the tree because of so much of branches, it becomes very heavy then it collapsed.
Stating that he is in no way trying to defend the forest or any department, he said, “But we are preparing at all levels right from districts to the state and I will continue to review at my level also every now and then.”
He also informed that the forest department has been directed to be alert and see that no incident should happen adding that they are moving and are already on the job in clearing such trees which are endangering people’s lives.
Whether any fixed time frame has been given for clearing such trees, Laloo however said, “They are yet to give any deadline to complete the process because the rules says that if you cut trees, you have to plant also. So they have to identify the places.”
He said the additional chief secretary during the review meeting informed that if they are to cut 600 trees, they have to plant around 6,000 trees.
“So they are looking for a place also as to where to plant the new trees also so that they can cut at the same time. Process is being followed,” he added.
Laloo further informed that he would be holding another meeting with the deputy commissioner to request all the localities to inform the district administration if there are any such trees in their respective areas.
Meanwhile, the deputy chief minister has also directed all the departments to prepare a contingency plan to meet the exigencies and to mitigate and address the grievances of the affected people.
“I have asked all the departments to prepare contingency plan. Only Agriculture department also has prepared already,” he said while informing that all the deputy commissioners of the different districts have also been asked to have review meetings on the matter.
“We are getting everybody alert and I am sure that when we are prepared the worse will never happen as they always say hope for the best and prepare for the worse. So we are preparing for the worst,” he said.
On the compensation part, Laloo said the disaster management department has already release ex-gratia payment of four lakhs each to the next of kin of all the three victims which is as per norms which were revised recently as earlier it was only at Rs 1.50 lakh only.
Earlier during the meeting, the additional chief secretary in-charge revenue & disaster also briefed on the damages caused to household properties, Horti and Agricultural crops, public and private assets etc.
He informed so far three casualties have been reported in East Khasi Hills due to falling of trees following torrential rain. Ex-gratia payment is being made by the District Administration.
The senior government official also informed that West Garo Hills is the most affected district where a total population affected is 1,20,098 from 22,698 households in 136 villages.
So far, 30 relief camps have been set up – 24 relief camps under Selsella Development Block and 6 under Dalu Development Block.
209 numbers of boats have been requisitioned for ferrying and evacuating purposes. Water level is still high and increasing.
The Committee has also decided to arrange 14 days Gratuitous Relief to the inmate of the relief camps.
By Our Reporter
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