Chennai: Members of Thozhan Trust, an NGO, removed nails fixed on big trees at Ambattur to hold advertisement boards and banners. Should a tree serve as information disseminater? A walk down a road in any part of Ambattur reveals that every tree in sight is the bearer of small-sized advertisement boards.
”Almost every tree has been holding up computer print-out, laminated sheet of flex board which are nailed on them”, said a resident of Ambattur, Loganathan.
”Mostly, the nails used are sturdy, not small and they are hammered right to the hilt and their entire length is embedded in the tree trunk. A few advertisers may tie tin or flex boards with string and some use paste but a few drive nails ruthlessly into tree trunks to put up their signs’, complained an environmentalist.
Another resident Sumathi said the tree would be affected only when the nail is pierced the phloem and xylem areas. ‘If it reaches beyond bark, it will lead to ejection of exudates which will breed fungus and insects and kill it gradually’, she added.
Some associations have been actively involved in various greening activities around the city. ‘We have conducted several tree walks, tree surveys and free- the- tree campaigns. Actually there is a rule that no advertisement boards to be nailed on trees’, she said, adding that the Corporation has to enforce it strictly. Then general public should also think of their duties and responsibilities in preserving trees as they give oxygen to us, she added.
‘A few trusts also conducted awareness sessions for schools, colleges and varied citizen groups. All this has been possible through the efforts of a growing volunteer base comprising of people of all ages from all walks of life,’ said, Ponraj, a college student.
‘We work with Corporation officials and local community groups in removing the boards. But later on, the advertisers do it again,’ he added.