Ecologists urge not to remove fallen leaves from tree roots - a necessary barrier » Gazeta.kg

Public ecologists are calling for fallen leaves to be left at the roots of trees, emphasizing their importance for the ecosystem. This opinion was expressed by Vlad Ushakov, a well-known journalist actively engaged in environmental issues, in his social media post.
Photo by the Ministry of Natural Resources of the KR
“The leaves that fall from trees play a key role in maintaining soil health, acting as natural mulch. They retain moisture, thus preventing soil from drying out in the summer and freezing in the winter. Additionally, fallen leaves are processed into humus. Earthworms and insects inhabit the litter, processing organic matter and thereby improving soil structure. In our climate, it is especially important to leave leaves under trees and bushes. It is alarming that the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision of the KR, instead of educating citizens about the benefits of this practice, publishes photo reports focusing on cleanliness without offering useful recommendations. This raises concerns for the future of the country,” noted Ushakov.

It is worth mentioning that the country has entered the season of traditional spring clean-up days. Every weekend, thousands of civil servants engage in cleaning up areas and parks, actively removing last year's leaves.

So far, the Ministry of Natural Resources has not commented on the expert's statement.