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As Kochi Metro work is gaining momentum, it's become imperative for Kochi Metro Rail Ltd to cut down a number of trees in the city. As atonement for the trees that would get axed down, it’d resort to planting saplings 10 times over the number of trees that it would cut down.

Talking to this newspaper, Tom Jose, managing director of KMRL said, “When Thiruvanantha-puram city improvement programme was done, we planted 10 saplings for each tree that was cut down. We want to apply the same here.”

Going by KMRL initial estimates, it’s expected that at least 467 trees in various parts of the city would’ve to be felled as the Kochi Metro project gains momentum.

Tom Jose said the project would be rolled out with minimum environmental impact. “We will make a public consultation before felling trees and we also want to take various stakeholders in confidence,” he said.

The KMRL chief added that the agency would decide the species of saplings to be planted and there needs to be an idea on where the saplings to be planted.

The Kochi Metro authorities are also looking for sponsorship for each sapling. “We are obtaining the Forest Department’s permission to fell trees through the district administration,” he added.
Meanwhile, the KMRL plans to convene a meeting of representatives of local bodies, public forums and environmental experts next week.

The Environment Impact Study (EIA) of the project insists on planting 4670 saplings as against 467 trees that would get cut and developing a green ribbon under the Metro Rail. This to a great extent will reduce the impact on environment, feels environmental expert Dr C.M. Joy.