For decades, ‘salubrious weather’ had been one of the expressions used
to describe Coimbatore. But, is the heat now turning this expression
outdated?

The scorching heat forces people to believe that the
temperature is very high this year. But, the recordings at the
Agro-Climate Research Centre of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
suggest otherwise.

Even though the average temperature for the month of
March has been hovering around 33.42 degree Celsius, it is already
scorching heat in Coimbatore. And, this is even less than the average
seen in March of 2009 and 2010.

The recordings at the centre show that the March reading
in 2009 is 34.6 degree Celsius and that of 2010 is 35.6 degree Celsius.
The logical conclusion is that the heat is experienced so intensely
because of the lack of wind that Coimbatore enjoyed in plenty when it
had abundant green cover in the form of trees. The eroding green cover
in the city is turning it hotter. According to V. Geetha Lakshmi, Centre
Head, summer in Coimbatore is at its peak from February-end to
mid-March. So an average temperature of something between 33 and 34
degree Celsius in March “is nothing abnormal”.

What is however abnormal is the intense heat that
residents are experiencing even at normal summer temperatures. Earlier,
due to the many trees doting various places in the city, including the
Avanashi Road, Tiruchi Road, and Mettupalayam Road, there was never a
want of breeze and shade.

These reduced the intensity of the heat to a large
extent and kept the place cool. But with almost all of them going under
the axe for developmental purposes, these roads have become bare leaving
no scope for breeze or shade. However, all is not lost.

The various initiatives, some underway and some in the
piping, of non-Governmental organisations and the Coimbatore Corporation
are expected to replenish the green cover at least to a certain extent.

According to Vanitha Mohan, Managing Trustee of
‘Siruthuli’, Coimbatore’s green cover is less than 10 per cent while the
stipulated global standard is 33 per cent. “We have to plant 7.5 lakh
trees to increase it to at least 17 per cent. The ‘Pasum Pulari’ project
is planned to include all sections of the city and will intensify into a
larger movement,” she says.

While there is a grouse that the green cover is
depleting, there is another serious problem. Those who are interested in
planting saplings do not find the right space for it.

K. Kalidas, President of Osai, says that when the road
widening was planned on Avanashi Road and Mettupalayam Road, the
government had assured that once the work was completed saplings could
be planted. “But a specific area has not been earmarked for it. Another
major hurdle is the electrical poles that restrict the choice of space.
We want to plant more, but where will the space come from,” he laments.

The showers on Friday temporarily cooled the city and the suburbs.

Ms. Lakshmi says: “Such summer showers are common during
this time and hence, April will be better than March. May will be like
March. But June will be cool with intermittent showers that will
eventually give way to monsoon.”

She also adds on a positive note that the many saplings
being planted all over the city will certainly start making a difference
in three to four years. “Plants grow fast. They have the ability to
reverse the negative environmental effect.”