Armymen give trees a new life!

Armymen give trees a new life!
DH News Service, Bangalore:
The Indian Army for the first time has taken up transplantation of trees. Madras Engineering Group and Centre, an establishment of the Indian Army has already transplanted 21 trees of the 34 trees, in its campus in Bangalore.


The idea to transplant trees resulted with the Centre’s plan to construct a new building in its campus. Thirty four trees of different species were located in the place identified for construction of the building. Col M N Devaya, Officer, Training Battalion 1, said the earlier plan was to cut the trees and sell the timber. But later we came in contact with the Bangalore Environment Group and the BBMP Horticulture Department staff. They suggested tree transplantation as an alternative.

“First we expected success rate would be around 80 per cent. But surprisingly all the 21 trees have shown positive results after transplantation. The Indian Army has taken it up on a pilot basis. Also, the same will be followed in other defence establishments in future,” he added. Nearly, Rs 17,500 is being spent on the transplantation of each tree.

G Rame Gowda, an horticulture advisor with the Prestige Group,who has been teen monitoring tree transplantation work in the Centre said, it has planned to transplant 14 Mahagony trees, 15 Pongomia, 1 Tamarind and 4 Ashoka trees.

“Age, size and location of the tree matters in transplantation. Separating the tree from the ground is the most important step in the process. Copper Oxychloride is smeared on the cut portions to enhance its growth. Later it is shifted to the location of transplantation. Also, once the tree is transplanted it has to be fed with 5,000 litres of water for three days,” he added.

NO FELLING

* 21 trees out of 34 already transplanted
* Transplantation costs of per tree is Rs 17,500
* Proper post-transplantation care necessary