Karwar: In the wake of a tragic incident where a woman lost her life after a tree fell in the Karwar City Municipal limits, MLA and City Development Committee Chairman Satish Sail has issued strict instructions to concerned authorities to remove all dangerous trees within a week.
Chairing a meeting at the City Municipal Council hall on Monday, Sail expressed deep sorrow over the Sunday incident and criticized the concerned departments for failing to act in time despite his repeated warnings.
He directed officials from the Forest Department, Revenue Department, HESCOM, and the City Municipality to begin the removal process immediately and complete it within seven days. He emphasized that 12 to 18 hazardous trees have already been identified, and those, along with any others reported by the public, must be promptly surveyed and cleared as per regulations.
Sail also announced that for every tree removed, ten saplings will be planted starting next week. He encouraged all government departments and volunteer organizations to increase this ratio to 20 saplings per tree to ensure greener urban development.
To ensure public safety during the tree-removal operations, Sail directed the police department to make proper traffic arrangements and HESCOM to take measures to prevent any electrical hazards. He also instructed that an ambulance be kept ready at the site and all precautionary steps be taken by municipal authorities.
He further ordered the immediate clearance of encroachments near the Konenala drain and directed action against those illegally releasing domestic wastewater and sewage into the drain. The concerned officials were told to disconnect water and electricity supply to such violators.
To support those engaged in tree-removal work, Sail asked municipal officials to provide all necessary facilities and extend insurance coverage of up to ₹10 lakh as a precautionary measure.
The removal drive was officially launched near Savita Hotel in the presence of the MLA, with a ceremonial ritual conducted before cutting down a hazardous tree.
The meeting was attended by MLC Ganapati Ulvekar, DFO Ravishankar, Tahsildar Nischal Noronha, CMC Standing Committee Chairperson Mala Hulaswar, Karwar Town Police Inspector Ramesh Hugar, municipal councillors, and representatives of various organizations.