2,000 trees damaged during Ho Chi Minh City sidewalk renovation

The streets are primarily in Districts 1, 5, 6, 11, Tan Binh, Phu Nhuan, Binh Thanh, Go Vap, and Cu Chi.

The center said the damage was mostly caused by machinery used to excavate the sidewalks, resulting in bruised tree trunks and severed roots.

Deep excavations around trees have caused roots to protrude above the surface in many places.

District 6 reported the highest number of damaged trees, particularly on Nguyen Van Luong, Street No. 2, Hau Giang, and Kinh Duong Vuong.

There were also significant impacts on Dinh Bo Linh and Phan Dang Luu streets in Binh Thanh District and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Le Thanh Ton and Ly Tu Trong streets in District 1.

The center and other agencies have carried out maintenance work to mitigate the impacts but 90 severely damaged trees had to be cut down for safety reasons and many others required pruning.

To prevent long-term risks to greenery, the center said inspectorates at the transportation and construction departments should carry out checks and address violations during construction that damaged the trees.

It also urged local authorities to penalize violators.

Since late last year numerous sidewalk and alley upgrade projects have been undertaken around HCMC to improve its looks.