Three weeks later, uprooted CIT Rd green giant sprouts new leaves in New Alipore
Times of India | 16 September 2024
Kolkata: A 150-year-old banyan tree on CIT Road opposite the Ramlila Maidan in central Kolkata that had been uprooted on Aug 23 and was replanted at Sahapur Military Camp in New Alipore, has shown a clear sign of survival with sprouted green leaves. The tree was transplanted successfully inside the campus on Sept 4 in the presence of over a 100 soldiers, officers and transplantation experts.
Eastern Command tweeted recently “In a remarkable feat of environmental preservation, the Indian Army, alongside Mithri Mitti, gave a second life to a 100-year-old tree! After 16+ hours of intense effort, the colossal 20 ton tree now stands tall again in Kolkata.A powerful symbol of nature’s revival!”
Sarbani Roy, botanist from KMC’s Parks & Square department, who was involved in the transplantation process said, “The sesquicentennial tree has survived, a sign of divine grace.”
Sanjay Jaisingh, the Mithri Mitti founder who spearheaded the initiative thinks the rescuing of the old tree was a monumental task. “Initially there was a plan to replant the trunk on the same place on CIT Road and accordingly several attempts were taken but we gave up hope,” he said.
“There were utility cables, CESC line and moreover a main water supply pipe line which we tried to shift but found very difficult. Then there are rats in the area that also damaged a portion of the roots” said Sabita Rani Das, 55 ward councillor.
The giant tree suddenly leaned and fell down on two parked vehicles during a heavy monsoon phase. Luckily no one was injured as the incident happened around 3.30 pm when the road was almost empty due to bad weather.
While searching for an alternative place for the transplant, suddenly the offer came from the Indian Army.
“An old mango tree was uprooted inside the camp recently which Army officials wanted to replant but unfortunately the transplantation process was unsuccessful that led to the decision to transplant the banyan tree at the same place,” said Jaisingh.
There was another major challenge to get road clearances from the respective authorities for successful transportation of the 22-foot-long tree weighing more than 12,000 kg. Particularly in the time when the city has been witnessing major protests, road blockades till late at night.
Finally, the 20-feet-long trailer-truck escorted with two cranes and a pay loader finally managed to relocate the tree covering a 10km of journey to New Alipore from CIT Road.
Apart from Kolkata Police and KMC Parks and Square department, local authorities along with department staff helped in the process.
“I'm thrilled to say that our persistence paid off,” added Jaisingh.