Diana Pérez, head of the Sustainable Development Secretariat (SDS), has addressed the controversy following the social media outcry over the felling of a lush tree in Mérida’s Plaza Grande.
Pérez Jaumá, the SDS leader, confirmed that the removal of the ficus species was deemed necessary due to its diseased state, posing a hazard in the event of strong winds.
She noted that this was not an isolated incident, as other ailing trees are slated for removal. However, she clarified that they would be replaced with large specimens as part of the ongoing renovation project.
“There are 40 trees in Plaza Grande, 11 of which are sick and at risk of falling,” she stated. “They were already severely damaged, and any strong wind could topple them, especially with the cyclone season approaching,” she added.
The precedent for such an incident date back to July 2019, when a massive tree collapsed in the plaza. This February, another had to be cut and pruned as it was split in half.
The official reiterated the commitment to offset the tree removal by planting 80 new trees, each over five meters tall, aiming to exceed a hundred in the area.
The “replacement” will occur after the current phase of modifications is complete, as the conditions for maintenance are not yet in place. In fact, some green areas were already appearing dry, making yesterday’s rainfall a welcome relief.