After a tragic tree fall in Mumbai highlighted the risks of weakened urban trees, Dehradun has introduced a groundbreaking method to improve tree safety by removing concrete at tree trunks, allowing roots to breathe and absorb water during the monsoon season.
- Removing concrete around tree bases helps roots breathe and absorb rainwater
- Healthier roots improve tree stability during heavy monsoon storms
- Deconcreting aids groundwater recharge and supports urban soil life
What happened
Each monsoon brings powerful storms that challenge the stability of mature trees in Indian cities. While most trees withstand these seasonal challenges, some fall, occasionally with devastating consequences, as witnessed in Mumbai when a tree toppled onto a school bus in 2025. Investigations revealed that while strong winds are partially responsible, the harder-to-see issue is concrete encasing tree bases, restricting root growth and weakening trees.
In response to this problem, Dehradun has taken a novel step by removing the concrete from around tree trunks in a process called deconcreting. This approach, led by environmental groups in partnership with local authorities and enforced by the National Green Tribunal, restores loose soil around the roots, allowing trees to access air and water more effectively.
Why it feels good
By freeing tree roots from concrete cages, Dehradun is enabling trees to build stronger, deeper root systems that hold firm during intense monsoons. The open soil ring around tree trunks allows rainwater to penetrate the ground rather than run off, aiding groundwater replenishment. This ecological benefit extends beyond tree safety to improving soil health by supporting microorganisms and earthworm populations essential for a thriving urban ecosystem.
Additionally, healthier trees provide long-term advantages to the city’s residents through enhanced shade, cooler temperatures, cleaner air, and habitats for birds and insects. Protecting these mature trees helps maintain urban green cover in a meaningful and sustainable way, especially since it takes decades for young saplings to offer the same benefits.
What to enjoy or watch next
Dehradun’s deconcreting initiative invites other cities to reconsider how they treat trees in urban planning, particularly in the context of climate resilience during heavy rains. The success of this method encourages cities to balance neat pavements with ecological needs by prioritizing root health and stability over convenience.
Experts also recommend revisiting the practice of heavy pruning before storms, as excessive branch cutting combined with root damage can further compromise tree integrity. The focus is shifting towards nurturing tree vitality all year round for safer, greener cities that withstand weather extremes. Observers can watch for similar programs expanding across India as awareness of these benefits grows.