Sidewalk Renovations in Ho Chi Minh City Damage Over 2,000 Trees

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Ongoing efforts to renovate sidewalks along 54 streets in Ho Chi Minh City's central area have inadvertently harmed more than 2,000 trees, as reported by the city's Infrastructure Management Center. These projects span several districts, including Districts 1, 5, 6, 11, Tan Binh, Phu Nhuan, Binh Thanh, Go Vap, and Cu Chi.

The damage mainly stems from heavy machinery used for sidewalk excavation, which has bruised tree trunks and severed roots, causing severe stress to the city's greenery. Disturbingly, in many areas, deep digging has led to roots protruding above ground, increasing the risk of further harm.

District 6 accounted for the majority of the damage, particularly on streets like Nguyen Van Luong and Kinh Duong Vuong. Significant impacts were also noted in Binh Thanh District on Dinh Bo Linh and Phan Dang Luu streets, and in District 1 on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Le Thanh Ton streets.

To mitigate the damage, the Infrastructure Management Center, along with other agencies, undertook maintenance efforts. Despite these efforts, 90 trees had to be cut down for safety, and several others required pruning.

To prevent future damage, the center suggested that transportation and construction departments conduct rigorous inspections during construction to ensure that tree protection measures are followed. Local authorities have also been urged to penalize any violators responsible for damaging urban greenery.

These sidewalk improvements, part of a broader initiative to enhance Ho Chi Minh City's aesthetics, have been underway since late last year. However, the unintended impact on the city's tree population highlights the need for careful balance between urban development and environmental preservation, reported VN Express.