Cyclone Montha lays bare fragile green cover in north Andhra
Cyclone Montha has once again revealed the weak state of north Andhra Pradesh’s green cover. The storm, which hit earlier this month, uprooted hundreds of trees across Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, and Anakapalli districts — areas still recovering from the damage caused by Cyclones Hudhud in 2014 and Titli in 2018.
According to the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), nearly 150 trees and shrubs were damaged across 80 locations by October 2. By October 28, another 134 trees had fallen, and 111 of them have already been cleared.
Environmentalists say the region’s greenery has not bounced back from years of repeated cyclones. Studies show that Visakhapatnam has lost about 70 to 80 per cent of its green cover in the past decade, affecting biodiversity and air quality.
Dr. D. Sandhya Deepika, Professor of Botany at Andhra University, said that plantation drives often rely on fast-growing, non-native trees. “Species like Alstonia scholaris grow quickly but fail to survive cyclonic winds. Native trees such as vepa, chinta, and raavi are more resilient,” she said.
Former forest officer E. Tulasi Rao recalled that after Cyclone Hudhud, uprooted trees in Kambalakonda Zoo began sprouting again within six months. “They recovered naturally because their roots were still intact,” he said. Rao advised against hasty replanting, warning it could harm the soil and living roots.
Mantha Ram Murthy, founder of Vizag Biodiversity Park, urged a shift to sustainable recovery. “Preserving fallen trees where they stand is both ecological and cost-effective,” he said.
Experts stress that north Andhra needs science-based restoration rooted in native biodiversity, not just quick greening drives.