Tree Transplant

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to move 5,717 fully grown trees in what could be the biggest tree transplantation exercise ever in India. The transplantation is planned to make way for the 18-kilometre-long Dwarka Expressway that will connect Dwarka in Delhi to Gurugram in Haryana. This new corridor will offer seamless connectivity between the two cities and decongest the traffic, besides bolstering real estate opportunities in the surrounding localities. According to a report in The Times of India, NHAI has designated funds worth ₹70 crore for the transplantation project, and it will effectively be spending around ₹30,000 per tree.

While the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has about three to four months to complete the task. However, tree experts have expressed their concerns about the short amount of time left, while suggesting that the timeline should be extended if the focus genuinely is on saving as many trees as possible. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has close to three to four months to finish the job and while officials say they are on the job, they insist that an extension in time is required in order to save maximum trees.

NHAI officials deployed at the site said they are taking all necessary measures to carefully transplant the trees, understanding growing public concern around protecting nature. A DDA park, near the Chowk, where some of the transplanted trees have been relocated are already showing fresh offshoots and NHAI officials are hopeful they will fully re-grow in a year. The task of transplanting the trees will be led by Ajay Nagar, who is credited for successful transplantation operations in the past, including the one for Lucknow Metro. Nagar admittedly intends to borrow from the previous transplantation projects, and take apt measures to guarantee maximum survival rate of the trees, around 80-85%.

Apart from the transplantation, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is also expected to plant 90,350 saplings at various locations in Delhi on behalf of NHAI, as part of the compensatory afforestation plan. The trees were being transplanted in sector parks and roads of Dwarka. Public interest in protecting trees has grown manifold as awareness around climate change and global warming spreads. So, this is a welcome step by the government.

Source:

  • https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/dwarka-e-way-5-7k-mature-trees-to-get-new-addresses/articleshow/71571575.cms
Share on Facebook
Tweet
Follow us