Gandhinagar to get three machines for replantation of trees.

Rs 75-lakh machine can replant 100 trees in a day

By Dilip Patel
Posted On Monday, March 29, 2010 at 02:45:37 AM

In a bid to save full-grown trees falling prey to road projects, the Forest Department has come up with an idea of re-plantation of trees to boost the depleting green cover in Gandhinagar. To this effect, the department will soon get three giant machines from the US at a cost of Rs 2.25 crore.

“Around 76,000 trees have become victims of several road-widening projects in last four years in Gandhinagar alone. Two years back, more than 2,500 trees were felled to develop a 5-km stretch on ‘Ch’ Road which passes though Vidhan Sabha and secretariat. The department then thought of adopting the re-plantation technique,” a source in the Forest Department said.

“Massive development work is in full swing at Gandhinagar. This has taken toll on several full-grown trees. The technique of replantation will save trees without disturbing projects. It is an attempt to save green cover of the city,” said Forest Minister Mangubhai Patel.

Former District Forest Officer of Gandhinagar S D Vasava had experimented with this technique. He attempted to replant trees and got success in 40 per cent cases. His experiment revealed that not all trees can be replanted. Based on Vasava’s findings, Forest department initiated the process and identified trees which can be replanted with 100 per cent success.

Forest Secretary S K Nanda said: “The machine can plant 100 trees in a day, however, priority will be given to those trees which can grow and can survive four to five years. Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation will sponsor the
machines.”

How will the machine work
The area around the tree will be dug to expose the roots. The tree is then uprooted and lifted with the help of the machine and planted in another location. The machine will be used in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad.
Source: http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/20100329201003290245378379c8c0815/Gandhinagar-to-get-three-machines-for-replantation-of-trees.html