What’s at stake Goa’s roadside trees might finally get to breathe. Across the state, many trees along roads and highways are trapped, their roots smothered by layers of concrete and tiles. In Goa’s urban pockets, more than 60% of roadside trees are found with concrete tightly packed around their bases, cutting off vital nutrients.
Why concrete hurts trees Covering tree bases with cement or pavers stops water, air, and nutrients from reaching their roots. This slowly weakens the trees, making them prone to disease, rot, and sudden collapse. A study from Delhi showed that concretisation can reduce a tree’s lifespan by up to 50%, especially in high-traffic urban zones.
What’s the solution? Goa is now actively considering a "No-Concrete Zone" rule, keeping at least one metre of open space around every roadside tree base. One metre of breathing space can increase water absorption by 20-30% around tree roots, supporting long-term growth.
The expected impact This simple step will let rainwater soak in, allow roots to breathe, and help urban trees stay healthier and stronger. In Bengaluru, after similar de-concretisation, tree mortality rates dropped by 15% in key urban areas.
Learning from other states Goa’s Forest Department is studying Delhi’s and Karnataka’s successful models where thousands of trees were freed from concrete to revive green cover. Delhi’s de-concretisation drive saved over 7,000 trees in the first phase alone, reducing tree falls during storms.
A nationwide directive On May 21, 2025, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued a directive: No concrete is allowed within one metre of any roadside tree across India. This pan-India order covers all States and Union Territories, aiming to protect thousands of urban trees from suffocation.
Why this matters in Goa The urgency in Goa came after several trees along Miramar Road collapsed due to rotting roots trapped under concrete. Concrete-packed roots can increase the risk of tree falls by up to 40% during the monsoon, posing serious safety hazards.
What’s next? Goa’s Forest Department will soon submit its plan, with local bodies and the PWD expected to start removing concrete from tree bases. This could help restore urban green cover and reduce tree stress in Goa’s major cities like Panaji and Margao within the next planting cycle.
Why environmentalists are hopeful Environmentalists are welcoming this step. They believe it will reduce tree deaths, improve urban biodiversity, and prevent long-term ecological damage. Urban trees not only cool city temperatures by up to four degrees Celisus but also help capture harmful air pollutants — making this move critical for public health.