MEERA BHARDWAJ:
If permission is accorded for relocation rather than felling, lakhs of trees can be saved in Bengaluru. In the event of construction projects in private lands, authorities should make efforts to grant permission for relocation of trees instead of blindly granting permission for its felling.
SAVING CITY’S TREE COVER
In a bid to save the dwindling tree cover of the IT city of India, residents of Poorna Prajna Nagar, Uttarahalli and Sree Anjaneya Swamy Temple Trust got together to relocate five trees at a cost of Rs 3.45 lakh.
On June 27, two Peepul trees, one Indian Fig, one Honge oil tree and one neem were relocated in a two-day operation.
All trees ranging between 20-24 years old which were located in the Sree Anjaneya Swamy temple premises were taken up for transplantation in the aftermath of performing Pooja and other rituals.
In the afternoon, residents gathered up in the temple complex to offer pooja and pray for the survival of the five trees in a new site that is just 200 metres away.
The transplantation was necessitated as the temple trust is in the process of undertaking restoration and construction of the Anjaneya Swamy temple in the existing complex.
Apart from tree parks, the sprawling Poorna Prajna Nagar in Uttarhalli ward has a dense tree cover with different tree species nestling on almost all main and cross roads.
Hayagreevachar, Managing Trustee said, “We take up regular tree plantation works in our layout. We are of the view that such acts of tree transplantation will motivate other RWAs (who face similar situation) and public in general not to go in for reckless cutting of trees in our city.”
In the aftermath of discussions with tree experts and seeking permission from the DCF, BBMP, the tree transplantation project was carried out by Vijay Nishant, tree doctor and Project Vriksha Foundation.
Vijay Nishant added, “If more residents and RWAs can come forward in Bengaluru to save trees in private lands by relocation and generate funds for this program on their own, Bengaluru can be saved from micro-climatic changes, soil erosion and flooding during heavy rains. The authorities should give permission for relocation rather than tree felling in the event of its possibility in private lands. This will go a long way in saving Bengaluru’s fragile environment and mitigating the development of heat islands due to unsustainable development.”
Residents of Poorna Prajna Nagar turned up on both the days for the tree transplantation and relocation work to know – how trees are prepared for transplantation and how modern machinery is used to relocate the trees to a new, selected nearby area.
Further, senior citizens who showed much interest said although they were saddened by its relocation, however, they were glad how efforts were made to save them from complete felling.
Many expressed their curiosity and interest on how the trees were removed with their roots intact with the help of machinery without much damage.
Taking all precautions of the tree and citizens’ safety, the decades old trees were accorded the necessary care and treatment for its survival and growth and adaption to a new area.
Further, after relocation to the new site where five big pits (depending on the size and girth of the tree) were dug up a day before.
The five trees whose branches were pruned were lifted with the help of a crane and placed in the selected pit and then treated with root hormones, urea, fresh soil and organic manure.
As per Karnataka Tree Preservation Act, felling is the last option and transplantation of trees have to be explored to give a second life to the trees.
The Karnataka forest department has to take the onus to perfect this system and implement this tree relocation initiative across the state.
Further, for every tree transplanted in the state, 10 saplings have to be planted and that is the new norm which every individual and institution should follow.
And wherever this is possible, tree plantation efforts should be made by the authorities and citizens in view of “survival of transplanted trees” at new sites being not so easy.
In the aftermath of relocation, senior citizens and other residents of Poorna Prajna Nagar have been regularly visiting the site of the tree transplantation to monitor the safety and health of the five relocated trees.