Over 80 trees in the area near Santa Cruz station have been found to have been infested by the bug. The infestation was noticed by Leena Prabhoo, who visits the local Bramha Kumari Raj Yoga Centre.
Around 30 volunteers will gather together on May 7 to save nearly 50 trees from mealy bug infestation at Santa Cruz (East). Over 80 trees in the area near Santa Cruz station have been found to have been infested by the bug. The infestation was noticed by Leena Prabhoo, who visits the local Bramha Kumari Raj Yoga Centre.
Mealy bugs are found commonly in warm and moist climates and Mumbai's weather, therefore, is extremely hospitable for these insects. They are considered one of the most dangerous parasites to feed off plants.
"I was going to the centre and on my way I noticed that the trees looked extremely unhealthy. So, I when I went up close and checked, I realised that they were mealy bugs. The bugs had infected over 80 trees. I found out that applying neem paste can help fight the infestation; so I contacted some people at the Yoga Centre, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and a corporate entity and they all pitched in," said Prabhoo, a psychologist and a resident of Vile Parle.
Prabhoo also requested the local civic office at H ward to remove the tar covering the roots of the trees in those areas to make watering more accessible, and thereby, productive.
"The officials were extremely amiable and agreed to help me. They will also be sending 10 volunteers to treat these infestations," said Prabhoo
Together, these volunteers will be applying more than 60kg of neem paste on the leaves of nearly 50 trees to protect them from the pests on May 7. A month later, another layer of paste will be applied to completely rid the trees of the bugs. These green Samaritans will begin their work early on that day from the Bramha Kumari Raj Yoga Centre at Santa Cruz (East).
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