Trees help reduce crime and violence: expert

Vegetation, besides reducing temperatures and beautifying the landscape, helps to reassure people by lowering their stress levels…//

Trees and vegetation have many benefits to the naked eye, such as shade, oxygenation of the air, and water and soil improvement. But according to biologist Lilia Emma Carrillo Sánchez, in charge of the collections of the CICY Botanical Garden, trees also help to reduce crime and violence.

It is no secret to anyone that we live in times when violence and crime are the order of the day, which is why they are the main concerns of parents.

“There are studies that indicate that living in forested areas and lots of vegetation helps to reduce stress and levels of violence, which also reduces crime among citizens,” said Carrillo Sánchez during a keynote speech at the Environmental Forum Expo 2018, which ended Sunday at the Yucatan Siglo XXI Convention Center.

According to the researcher, living surrounded by plants and trees helps to create inner peace, because it decreases the outside temperature, embellishes the landscape, but also because walking among plants and listening to birds decrease stress levels and reassure people .

“The trees and plants harmonize the environment; seeing beautiful landscapes lowers stress levels and that obviously reassures people, even those who are violent by nature. This decreases the levels of crime and violence, including intrafamily,” explained the specialist.

Co-author of a book on the trees recommended for the White City, biologist Carrillo Sanchez emphasized the importance of reforesting the capital of Yucatan, while taking into account that doing so must include trees and plants whose roots do not affect streets, houses and roads.

“The people should know what kind of trees should be planted in their yards, whether small or large houses, so that later on, when they grow, they will not complain that the roots have already broken their walls or water pipes, to mention some damage,” she pointed out.

Her recommendation was to plant trees and plants of the region, such as jicaritos and native palms, which are adapted to soil conditions and the rainfall regime.

Text and photos: Esteban Cruz Obando

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