Corpn to survey trees before monsoon

“We will start the field visits after August 15 to identify the trees to be removed and pruned. Our aim is to safeguard lives and properties,” a Chennai Corporation official said.

At the same time, the official also pointed out that most of the trees on the city roads are young and dead trees are being removed whenever they are found. “We have to concentrate on the branches that are protracted to the road,” he added.

Presently, the civic body has six hydraulic tele-cutting machines, 360 power saws and 2 electrically mounted power saws.

As of now, the Corporation maintains more than 1.5 lakh trees and has started planting 23,000 saplings to augment the tree cover lost during Cyclone Vardah.

“Residents cannot cut trees or branches without the permission of the civic body as it is an offence,” he said.