After giving nod to chop trees for construction, BMC has imported 10,000 of them to encourage plantation.
Plant trees not saplings, is what the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will now preach to housing societies in the city. The BMC, after giving a nod to relentlessly chop down trees that come in the way of construction, has beefed up measures to compensate the lost green cover.
In a bid to encourage tree plantation, it will provide indigenous trees free to the societies. Around 10,000 tall trees have been imported from Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Pune. These can be acquired from the BMC by residents and can be planted in their vicinity without incurring a penny.
“The citizens won’t have to incur any cost. They just need to walk in and choose a tree. This initiative will encourage citizens to plant trees in their locality,” said Chandrashekhar Rokade, deputy municipal commissioner (Garden).
The stock has over 12 species of trees that include decorative and native ones. Ashoka, Bottle Palm, Royal Palm and Silver Oak are among the few indigenous species. While, floral trees like Gulmohar, Peltophorum, Bougainvillea will also be given to societies.
The cost estimation for procurement of 10,000 trees is being worked out. A civic official said that the BMC would have incurred over Rs10 lakh in importing them.
Meanwhile, members of the Tree Authority also welcomed the move. Dr Nilesh Baxi, a member said, “It’s more beneficial to plant trees than saplings. Their oxygen generating capacity is higher than what a sapling can generate. These trees will not only add to the aesthetic value but also boost the ecology.”
The citizens will be provided these trees on a first-come-first-serve basis. Agencies have been appointed to assist societies in planting the trees. “Planting trees over 12 feet in height will be
cumbersome for the people,” a civic official said.
However, amid the grim survival rate of transplanted trees, the proposal is also being seen with scepticism. “The trees will not be transplanted but planted with due instruction from the agencies. Their condition will also be monitored,” added the official.
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