Greenpeace Philippines on Monday condemned the earth-balling activities recently reported along Roxas Boulevard in Manila, prompting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to investigate the contractors involved, as reported by BusinessWorld.
Earth-balling, a method of transplanting large trees by wrapping their root balls in burlap, can cause significant environmental damage if not done properly. Greenpeace Philippines raised concerns that the activities along the iconic boulevard may have violated environmental protocols, particularly regarding the handling and relocation of mature trees.
The DENR announced on June 12 that it had begun investigating the contractors, focusing on whether their methods complied with environmental standards. The outcome of the probe could lead to sanctions or stricter regulations on earth-balling practices in urban areas.