How many sidewalk constructions affect trees?

The Technical Infrastructure Management Center (The Center has just sent a report to the Department of Transport and Public Works (GTCC) of Ho Chi Minh City on the construction of upgrading and repairing sidewalks in districts and towns that affect the safety of trees.

Accordingly, as of March 26, the Center recorded that 58 roads in districts 1, 5, 6, Tan Phu, Tan Binh, Phu Nhuan, Binh Thanh, Go Vap and Cu Chi district are under construction and sidewalk repair, affecting green construction safety.

Of which, District 1 has 16 routes; similarly, District 11: 9; District 6: 10, District 5: 8, the rest belong to Tan Phu, Binh Thanh districts, and Cu Chi district.

In addition, about 90 trees were cut down and replaced, including 3 type 1 trees, 57 type 2 trees and 30 type 3 trees.

Recently, this unit has sent official dispatches to the People's Committees of districts and towns to recommend and guide compliance with ensuring tree safety when implementing construction projects.

However, in reality, during the monitoring and inspection process, the Center recorded that investors have not strictly complied with the policies and instructions of the City People's Committee and the Department of Construction. The sidewalks under construction were being excavated by motor vehicles, leading to collisions with tree trunks, causing crushed and broken roots, or lowering the ground level deep around the base, causing the tree trunks to protrude higher than the ground level.

In addition, the condition of exposed tree roots for long periods of time due to mass excavation and slow re-establishment.

Faced with the above situation, the Center and care and maintenance units have inspected, reviewed and handled, cutting down about 90 trees at risk of being unsafe due to seriously damaged root systems; and trimmed branches of many other trees to reduce the risk of being unsafe.

However, there is still a potential long-term safety risk for remaining trees on roads with undetected damage, defects or potential risks due to negative impacts caused by the construction process.

Therefore, the Center recommends that the Department of Transport assign the Department Inspectorate to coordinate with the Department of Construction Inspectorate to inspect and handle violations of regulations on tree protection by investors and construction units during the construction process. At the same time, issue documents recommending and reminding districts to discipline investors and contractors and take measures to sanction units that violate regulations causing unsafety for trees.