Plant Recovery Guide: Steps to Take After Flooding

Eleven districts across the country have been severely impacted by the catastrophic floods, with water levels reaching heights of 20 to 22 feet in some areas. This extensive flooding has submerged not only plants but also grasslands and herbaceous vegetation, leading to a critical shortage of cattle feed. In response, botanists recommend that immediate care be given to trees and grasses once the floodwaters recede.

According to recent media reports from September 3, the floodwaters are receding rapidly, revealing the extent of damage to both life and nature. Grasslands, shrubs, and herbaceous habitats have been devastated. While some plants may recover by sprouting from their underground roots, many large trees have been submerged and rendered lifeless. These trees may dry out and die, and others that have fallen and broken will also suffer significant damage.

The flood has inflicted two primary types of damage to trees: physical and physiological. The extent of the damage depends on several factors, including the species of trees, their health prior to the flood, the timing and duration of the flood, water depth, and the amount of soil removed from or deposited around the tree roots.

As a child, we often witnessed the village elders quickly springing into action after a flood, taking care of the trees, crops, and plants with a sense of urgency. They didn’t need the advice of botanists; their knowledge was rooted in centuries of experience passed down through generations in an agrarian society. Their first priority was to prepare seedbeds for planting rice, ensuring the surrounding plants were healthy. Leaning or uprooted trees were propped up with sticks or bamboo.

If certain trees were beyond saving, they would uproot them and plant new ones in their place. The relationship between humans and trees was enduring—like that of friends or family. Even the lawns and roadside grasses received special attention. At that time, people were more reliant on nature for food from domesticated animals. As a result, after a flood, they would reshape the entire landscape with care and intention.

With the decline of agrarian society, modern humans have largely distanced themselves from nature, necessitating additional guidance. Moreover, floods have recently affected areas like Feni, Comilla, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts—regions that had never experienced such events before. For these regions, botanists advise that after a flood, several feet of sand, silt, or clay can accumulate around the tree roots, causing them to sink deeper into the soil. This can lead to long-term oxygen deficiency in the roots, which needs to be addressed to ensure the health of the plants and trees.

Some plants may manage to develop new roots in the sediment left behind by the flood, while others may perish due to oxygen deprivation. To aid recovery, it's crucial to remove the accumulated soil under trees as much as possible and restore the area to its original condition once the floodwaters recede. Any silt that has settled on the exposed roots should be carefully removed to avoid damaging them. This process should be conducted promptly and with care.

The recent floods have highlighted just how valuable trees are to people. They have provided crucial support, with people clinging to tree branches to stay safe from being swept away, and various animals, including birds and reptiles, finding refuge in their canopies.

Environmentalists recommend planting a diverse range of trees that are suited to the local soil and climate in flood-affected areas. When choosing tree species for flood-prone regions, it's important to select varieties that are water-tolerant, resilient, and long-lived. The government and relevant authorities should actively promote tree planting and care through extensive outreach and public education to encourage community involvement in these vital efforts.