Survey flags 264 dead trees, 1,427 hazardous branches across Bengaluru

Over 250 trees along arterial roads across the city are likely to face the axe, as a mid-survey report by the City Corporation has identified them as dead. The condition of the trees was assessed as part of a first-of-its-kind survey taken up by the civic bodies in the wake of a series of deaths caused by tree falls in 2025.

In the first phase of the survey, the corporations have identified 264 dead trees and 1,427 branches that need to be axed. The survey found that 141 trees are hollow, 72 are insect-infested and diseased, and 138 trees have concrete around their bases.

Activists see this scientific enumeration as a positive development, as it focuses on tree health. Activist Vijay Nishanth said the exercise would not only help fix accountability but also lead to a better understanding of the overall health of trees in the city.

“Bengaluru’s population has reached 1.4 crore, and urbanisation has accelerated. In such a situation, this scientific survey will help us save trees by extending treatment to infested ones,” he said, adding that many trees can be saved every year through early identification of bad tree health.

He pointed out that trees with their bases covered in concrete can be saved. In addition, more trees can be planted at the exact location of felled trees, if conditions are favourable, instead of merely concreting the surface.

Sudarshan G.K., Deputy Conservator of Forests, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), told The Hindu that tomography tests would be conducted to verify whether trees are hollow before they are felled. “For diseased trees, we will assess the health condition and check whether they can be treated. If the disease appears untreatable and poses a risk to the public, we will axe them,” he said.

In the case of dead trees, officials will conduct health tests to confirm whether the tree is indeed dead before axing it. “The removal process will include a joint mahazar by the DFO, RFO, and ACF, along with local witnesses. Soon, we will begin the work to ensure that all hazardous trees are removed or treated before the monsoon begins,” Mr. Sudarshan told The Hindu.

However, the survey is unlikely to be completed before the monsoon, as only seven surveyors are currently in the field.

While the identification and removal of hazardous trees are part of routine work, officials of the erstwhile BBMP had done little, leading to public backlash in 2025. The government had even transferred the then DCF following a tree fall incident that killed a 29-year-old man in south Bengaluru. However, it was the previous DCF who had planned the scientific enumeration.

The year 2025 recorded the highest number of tree falls in a single year, crossing the 1,000 mark with 1,222 incidents. Considering the severity of the situation and four deaths in a single year, the GBA hired eight fresh BSc graduates to enumerate hazardous trees along arterial roads. The civic authority trained the students and tasked them with the survey in December 2025.

“Eight students are not enough to cover the rest of the city, especially when the entire BBMP could not do it earlier. Even the tree census is lagging behind,” an official said. “This is a good initiative, and the GBA should consider hiring more graduates on an honorarium basis and continue the survey,” he added.