BACOLOD City – Around 300 Eucalyptus trees will be felled when the Panaad Park and Stadium in this city’s Barangay Mansilingan will be rehabilitated.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the stadium rehabilitation is for Negros Occidental’s hosting of the Regional Athletic Meet and Palarong Pambansa in 2021.
The trees will give way to a wider parking space for vehicles.
Eucalyptus is an evergreen tree known for its medicinal properties. Although native to Australia, this popular tree now grows in many areas of the world.
According to Lacson, the trees will be replaced with endemic species which are more environment-friendly.
Eucalyptus trees consume too much water, which could result to the loss of groundwater.
In fact, said Lacson, this of tree is being removed in South Africa because of the plant’s huge water consumption.
As to what endemic trees will replace the Eucalyptus trees, the governor has left the decision to the Provincial Environment Management Office.
Certain parts of the Panaad Park and Stadium had been closed earlier this year.
The rehabilitation will run for around 11 months./PN
