Top News

With the onset of the monsoon, Mangaluru city is witnessing a worrying increase in tree falls, causing property damage and raising serious safety concerns. Environmentalists and locals are alarmed as already-declining urban tree cover suffers further loss due to harsh winds and rain.

In the past week alone, four trees toppled in Chilimbi due to heavy rain and winds, damaging parked vehicles. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. Within just two days of this incident, two more trees fell in the same area. Trees planted along the stretch between Narayanaguru Circle and Chilimbi have also fallen one after another due to rainfall. A massive tree also came down on the Bejai–Kapikad Road. Altogether, over 25 trees have reportedly fallen across the city in recent weeks.

Residents in areas like Ballalbagh, Mannagudda, Urwa Store and nearby localities report spotting visibly uprooted or unstable trees — some planted decades ago, others just a few years back. Notably, a century-old peepal tree had collapsed near Narayanaguru Circle two years ago.

Urban Projects Taking a Toll on Trees
Experts point out that the widespread use of concrete roads, lack of drainage, and poor construction planning have created a hostile environment for roadside trees. Many roads are fully concreted, sometimes even up to the tree base, preventing rainwater from seeping into the soil. Previously, tar roads allowed water to percolate through adjacent soil, but today nearly 90% of water fails to reach the roots, according to environmentalists.

Additionally, during civic works, trees are either cut down or left with concrete poured right up to their roots, shortening their lifespan drastically. Transplanting trees is expensive, so many contractors avoid it, sealing the roots and affecting their health.

“Trees that are supposed to live decades are dying in just a few years. In the long term, this will only increase the city’s temperature,” warns Madhav Ullal, an environmental activist.

The city’s never-ending construction activity — including roadwork, drain installations, interlock paving, gas pipelines, water lines, electric cables, and footpath renovations — has led to frequent digging near tree bases. This damages root systems, reduces water access, and weakens the tree’s hold in the soil. With weakened roots and dry soil, even moderate storms can cause large trees to fall, says the environmental community.

There are also reports of certain residents deliberately damaging trees that “come in the way” of their property or convenience, adding to the problem. “It’s heartbreaking to see trees nurtured over years falling this way,” said Ullal.