In Kochi, there has been a strong call to restore the green cover along key city corridors following significant tree removals. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) cut down many trees on the Edapally-Palarivattom NH 66 Bypass as part of construction for a flyover and underpass. Additionally, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) removed 669 trees to widen roads for the metro's Kakkanad extension.

Local environmental advocates are urging that both agencies plant ten times the number of trees they have cut down as part of their compensatory afforestation obligations. C.M. Joy, a former member of the Tree Committee in Ernakulam, emphasized the importance of nurturing these saplings until they can thrive independently. He expressed concerns about potential shortages of water and oxygen due to reduced tree cover and rising temperatures, which pose threats not only to current residents but also to future generations.

Joy criticized recent efforts that have diminished the authority of tree committees in Kerala, suggesting this could lead to further loss of vital trees that provide shade and combat pollution. He believes it is essential for the Forest Department to play a more significant role in these committees.

Both NHAI and KMRL have stated their commitment to planting ten times as many trees as were removed during their projects. They mentioned that funds required for this replanting effort had already been allocated prior to starting construction work on new infrastructure at Edapally Junction. There are discussions about possibly replanting smaller trees along medians where larger ones were removed.

Original article (kochi) (nhai)

This article is like a story about trees and how some people are sad because many trees were cut down in Kochi. It tells us that two big groups, NHAI and KMRL, cut down trees for their projects, and now they say they will plant more trees to make up for it. But some people, like C.M. Joy, think this might not be enough and that we need to take care of the trees and the environment. While it makes us think about the importance of trees and how they help us, it doesn't really tell us what we, as kids or grown-ups, can do to help. It doesn't give us any super cool ideas or steps to make a big change. It's more like a talk about what's happening and what might happen, but it doesn't teach us something we can do right now to make a difference. So, it's a bit like a story that makes us think, but it doesn't give us a superpower to save the day.

"Local environmental advocates are urging that both agencies plant ten times the number of trees they have cut down as part of their compensatory afforestation obligations."

This sentence uses strong language to present the advocates' request as a moral obligation. The word "urging" implies a sense of urgency and importance, suggesting that the agencies should feel compelled to act. It creates a positive image of the advocates as concerned citizens, while the use of "obligations" hints at a legal or ethical duty. This bias favors the advocates' position and adds emotional weight to their argument.

The text primarily conveys a sense of concern and urgency regarding the environmental impact of urban development projects in Kochi. This emotion is evident throughout the passage, with a strong focus on the potential consequences of reduced tree cover and the need for immediate action.

The emotion of concern is expressed through words like "strong call," "urging," and "emphasized," which highlight the advocates' anxiety about the situation. The mention of potential water and oxygen shortages and the threat to future generations adds a layer of seriousness and urgency to the message. The advocates' fear of further loss of vital trees and their desire for the Forest Department to play a more significant role also contribute to this emotional tone.

This concern is used to create a sense of sympathy and worry among readers, encouraging them to share the advocates' perspective and understand the potential environmental risks. By emphasizing the long-term consequences and the impact on future generations, the text aims to evoke an emotional response that motivates readers to support the cause and potentially take action.

The writer effectively employs emotional language to persuade by using strong, active verbs like "cut down," "removed," and "diminished," which paint a vivid picture of the tree removals and the resulting environmental impact. The repetition of the phrase "ten times" emphasizes the magnitude of the proposed replanting effort, making it a more compelling solution. The mention of potential shortages and rising temperatures adds an element of fear and urgency, further driving home the need for action.

Additionally, the text personalizes the issue by quoting C.M. Joy, a former member of the Tree Committee, who expresses his concerns and beliefs. This adds a human element to the story, making it more relatable and engaging for readers. By combining these emotional appeals with a clear call to action—urging the agencies to plant ten times the number of trees—the writer effectively persuades readers to support this environmental initiative.