Malappuram: Despite repeated tragedies and public outcry, authorities continue to ignore the threat posed by massive, decaying trees along public roads. At the Hello Reporter tele-in programme organised by Malayala Manorama in Wandoor, anxious residents raised serious concerns about trees that were dangerously leaning over roads, schools, and homes, many of which were already in a decayed or unstable state.

In Porur panchayat alone, two people lost their lives in recent weeks due to tree falls during the monsoon. Athuldev (19), an ITI student, died after a tree collapsed onto a bus on the State Highway at Puliyakkode. Before residents could recover from the shock, Nechilan Sunitha (34) of Chennai Nagar succumbed to injuries following a similar incident.

Following Athuldev’s death, five trees were cut down at the accident site. But many more continue to pose a threat. Rotten and slanted trees still pose a danger to travellers along the Vadapuram–Pattikkad Road, especially in the Khadharpady area near Ayanikkode.

A fully dried jackfruit tree, propped up with an embankment, has long stood in a vulnerable state in front of the Thiruvali Government Higher Secondary School and Government LP School. Despite repeated complaints from teachers and parents, no action has been taken. Another dead tree stands directly opposite the school gate. Along the Thiruvali–Edavanna PWD Road, just 100 metres away, five more trees are reportedly in a dangerous condition.

On the Wandoor–Thiruvali Road, a large false hemp tree near the under-construction Chellithode Bridge, which has been kept standing by cutting parts of its root, now poses a serious risk to commuters, as well as to a nearby house and mosque. “We’ve been lodging complaints since the time of my late father, Kottepparamban Sathar,” says his daughter Haseena. “He passed away, but the tree’s roots have already cracked our house’s wall. Do the officers who claim it’s safe have the courage to stand under this tree for even a minute during rain and wind? Don’t our lives count?” Branches on the side where roots were cut have started falling, and three more trees near the bridge are in similar condition.

Elsewhere, a dangerously leaning tree near the bus shelter at Wandoor Angadi on Nilambur Road poses a threat to commuters, especially students and women. A seat built using a concrete ring around the tree trunk has already developed cracks.

Residents allege that people have demanded up to ₹25,000 to cut down a dangerous tree on the State Highway. “Everyone stays alert for a few days after a tragedy, and then it's back to apathy,” a resident said. Officials cite a slew of formalities, including the need for clearance from the forest department. They also admit that, since the trees are not ‘strong’, no one was willing to take them on auction.

“There should be no further delay in removing these hazardous trees. How many more lives must be lost before someone acts?” added residents.