Chennai: Transplantation and planting of saplings are the forestation measures taken by CMRL to maintain ecological balance post felling of trees for Metro construction work.
Of the trees transplanted and maintained by CMRL at Pachaiyappa’s college in 2012, about 15 to 20 have managed to survive now. According to CMRL officials, over 60,000 trees have been planted across the city. “We have been planting trees on the city outskirts in the ratio of 1:25 so that even half fail to grow, the norms of trees felled to trees would be maintained at1:12.
The forest department provides saplings to the contractors of CMRL. These are planted and monitored for at least three years to see the survival capacity,” said a senior CMRL official. “On Pachaiyappa’s college premises, we transplanted 33 trees. Of them, only two trees were casualties while 31 were transplanted successfully,” added the official.
Transplantation involves moving a tree with its roots and root ball (along with the soil at its roots) and planting it at a new location. But now, almost after four years, officials at college claim that only about 15–20 of the transplanted trees remain.
“There were over 20 trees initially but now only 15 trees are standing. CMRL watered the trees regularly after the transplantation,” said Dr Sekar T, associate professor, Botany, Pachaiyappa’s College.
Botanists and forestation experts suggest that transplanting might not be a good idea if not done properly. “It has to be done sensitively. When a tree is transplanted, a disruption is caused in its environment. Also, transplantation depends on factors like species, age of the tree, climate,” said Shobha Menon of Nizhal.
“There should be ample pre-care and post-care. The transplanted tree would be weak, and susceptible to damage for some years,” she added. B Ilango of Jeyam Landscape Consultants, who carry out transplantation activities across Chennai and Bengaluru, said: “It takes 45 to 60 days for transplanted trees to sprout new leaves while new roots start growing in about four months. The tree has to be supplied with water, organic manure, and if needed, fungicide, during the period.”
