Tree in Kolkata back on its trunk after fall during cyclone Dana
Times of India | 25 November 2024
12 Kolkata: A full-grown ‘rudra palash' or African tulip tree on the Rabindra Sarobar premises, which had fallen during cyclone Dana last month, was successfully replanted at the same location on Sunday.
Officials of the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), the custodian of the 192-acre wide Rabindra Sarobar, said an NGO approached them to replant the tree.IPL 2025 mega auctionIPL Auction 2025: Who got whomIPL 2025 Auction: Updated Full Team Squads"The 20 feet tall tree stands beside a toilet block. It was in a retrievable condition when the NGO approached us with the wish to replant the same," said a KMDA official.
The replantation process had started around 11am on Sunday. The branches of the tree were pruned to reduce some extra load and ensure stability after replantation. The damaged root and branches were medicated and treated with a special kind of hormone. The soil beneath the uprooted tree's base was dug deeply with payloader machines to accommodate the root system.
Cow dung, fertiliser, and other chemicals were added to the soil, where it was replanted.The tree was then lifted with the help of a crane and placed into the dug-up spot in an upright position with the roots firmly placed inside the hole.The earth over the root was compacted. Bamboo sticks were placed to support the tree to stand.
Officials said daily watering would be done until the root of the tree gets deep into the soil for it to be able to stand firmly on its own.
KMDA officials said trimming of tall trees was done at periodical intervals as part of routine maintenance of the Sarobar trees. Several trees that fell after Cyclone Amphan back in 2020 were replanted. A few trees were also replanted after Cyclone Remal. "Replantation of trees is done with the help of NGOs whenever the fallen trees are found to be in a retrievable condition," said an official. There are close to 9,500 trees of different species on Rabindra Sarobar premises at present, officials said.