Collapse of big trees on DU campus raises concern
DU Correspondent
Students of Dhaka University (DU) have expressed concern over the falling of old trees. Owing to several natural and man-made causes, trees as old as time, silent bystanders of the glorious history and enhancing the beauty of the university campus, have started falling. A 50-year-old mango tree collapsed last Friday in front of the DUs central library. This rainy season, two mango trees and a neem tree also fell at the same place. All of them were more than 50 years old.
Unofficial sources said at least 30 big old trees have fallen on the campus this year, though the arboriculture centre of the university says the number is only 12.
Experts have urged measures to protect these trees to preserve the history, culture and natural beauty of the campus.
The main reason behind the collapse of these big trees is weak development of tap root (main root) due to lack of air, basically oxygen in the soil, said Dr Mohammad Zabed Hossain, professor of the botany department of the DU. Since there are roads adjacent to these trees and heavy construction work around the trees goes on all the time, the soil keeps losing its quality over time, he added.
The big old trees are falling after heavy rainfall or incessant rain for several days.
Prof Zabed said: The trees are losing their balance because their main roots cant grow properly and thats why they are falling during the rainy season.
There are, however, no exact official statistics about the number of trees around the campus that are older than 50 years.
This correspondent observed that there are more than hundred such trees around the campus. A number of them stand right beside important places like the TSC, VC Chattar and Mal Chattar. Apart from their environmental importance, these trees add to the natural beauty of the campus.
Prof. Zabed also said lack of management and maintenance led to the fall of these trees. He further said big old trees are being attacked by fungus, while branches of those trees are being cut in an unprotected way. After cutting down the branches of these trees, fungicides should be used to prevent fungus attacks as fungus causes the root to rot, making holes in trees and harming their vascular system.
Prof. Mihir Lal Shah of the botany department and director of the Arboriculture Centre of the DU said: We plant new trees every year and trim big trees in the winter season to protect them.
He also said attacks of termite could be another reason for the falling of the trees. There are plenty of termites in the area and they harm the big trees, he added.
The number of students has been increasing. For them, we need more structures. Open spaces for the planting of new trees are decreasing and those structures are increasing the pressure on the old trees, he said.
Students have expressed concern over the falling of big and old trees on social media.
Experts have said that proper care and removal of diseased trees to control spread of fungus are necessary to protect these trees. Planting of trees at inappropriate sites and in shallow soil layers should be avoided.
