After objections raised by environment activists and citizens, the translocation of 60 trees for widening of road from Besa Square to Pipla village has been halted by the Besa-Pipla Nagar Panchayat. In the name of widening of road in this stretch, the administration had proposed to translocate around 60 full-grown trees to open plots. However, environment activists and nearby residents raised concern over the process claiming that translocation was not successful in the climate of Nagpur. Due to rapid development work going on in Besa and Beltarodi areas and increased traffic movement, the administration is widening the road from Besa T-Point to Besa Square and then, upto Pipla village. The administration is constructing cement road on this stretch, and for this, all the roadside trees will be transplanted to open plots of the Nagar Panchayat.

 

“Widening of road is needed as the population has increased drastically in recent time in Besa-Pipla area. With the help of CSIR-NEERI, we are transplanting the trees to open plots near Pipla Village,” Bharat Nandanwar, Chief Officer of Besa-Pipla Nagar Panchayat told ‘The Hitavada’. “After the protest by citizens, we halted the translocation process and we are working on shifting of utilities on the stretch,” said Nandanwar. Apart from trees, the electricity poles have to be shifted first and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has started the process, said Nandanwar. There are many flat schemes under construction between Besa Square to Pipla Village. Due to construction work, heavy vehicles are moving on this stretch.

 

Due to heavy vehicles and heavy traffic, the existing road has become narrow for traffic movement. Also, potholes are causing trouble for commuters. Keeping the condition of the road in mind, the administration is constructing a 70 ft wide road on this stretch. For road widening, the administration should have to shift all trees and electricity poles that hindering the project. However, citizens and activists are opposing the translocation process, claiming that trees will not survive after translocating. However, Dr Vilas Yeole, Scientist, CSIR-NEERI and the person who is spearheading the translocation in the project, claimed that survival rate of trees after the process is just 60% and they are conducting the process very carefully to increase the survival chances of the trees. “So far we have shifted 27 trees on an open plot of Nagar Panchayat and around 30 more trees are lined up to translocate.

 

Due to protest we halted the project for a while. Whereas we are taking daily care of translocated trees scientifically,” said Dr Yeole. “For shifting of trees, we have selected the location for the plant based on environmental conditions and factors. Also, assess the quality of the soil at the selected site to ensure suitability for the plant. Even digging of pits took place as per the recommended size,” said Dr Yeole. Environment activists also raised objection on wounds of trees that happened during the shifting by excavators. Talking about the wounds, Dr Yeole said, “Wounds are common while shifting. It takes place. But for its healing, we applied Bordomax paste mixture which will help quick healing of the tree. Along with this we used some scientific method to ensures proper preparation and care during the plant relocating process for better survival and growth.”