Mentor’s Comment:

In the backdrop of mass protest against the felling of trees in Delhi, The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) ordered transplanting of trees.

The Introduction should describe about the term transplanting of trees from one location to a new location.

Further, the main body should discuss about how transplanting is done i.e. the method. Also mention about the need to move trees from one place to another.

Next, mention positive of the moves followed by the challenges in transplantation.

Next, mention about the way forward. Points like a separate department for tree transplantation, the existing forestry can support the insects, birds, ground mammals in providing shade and nutrients and also support the growth of grasses around them. So planting more trees at the place of transplantation will be more helpful and productive.

Next, bring conclusion based on the points of main body.

 

Model Answer:

In the backdrop of mass protest against the felling of trees in Delhi, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) ordered  transplanting  of  trees.  Transplanting  is  the  term  used  to  describe  the  digging  and  replanting  of  trees  from  one location  to  a  new  location.  Due  to  the  wide  extent  and  morphology  of  tree  root  system,  transplanting  of  trees  usually involves substantial removal of roots. The whole transplanting process in particular for large trees is an engineering feat and requires substantial involvement of resources and time.

How transplantation is done:

• A ditch is dug around the tree and its root system is isolated from the soil.
• The big branches are lopped off, leaving a few small branches for regeneration.
• The root system is covered with wet gunny bags to protect the roots.
• The trees are then sent to a nursery to acclimatise.
• After the roots start growing back, the tree is lowered into a ditch created in its new spot.

With  the  amount  of  urbanisation  that  India  is  witnessing,  it  is  putting  pressure  on  the  ecology  of  the  cities.  While  the population  is  increasing,  land  availability  remains  the  same.  Therefore,  to  accommodate  the  ever  increasing  population and  migration,  existing  green  covers  in  the  cities  are  being  cut  to  pave  way  for  infrastructure  development.  In this background, some experts are calling for transplantation of trees to another location.

Positives of the move:

• It saves the trees from felling and helps maintaining the ecological balance of the city.
• Useful and valuable in saving the trees by way of transplanting to other location.
• Useful in developing public awareness for conservation of trees.
• With the blend of this technology, tree conservation can be coupled with the development process.
• It gives  the  plants  more  space  not  only  below  ground  but  also  above    If  a  plant  is  put  in  a  larger container, it will have more light and air.

Challenges in Transplantation:

• Transplanting trees is a process that requires expertise, time, patience and a lot of luck, said experts.
• The survival  rate  of  trees  that  are  transplanted  in  Mumbai  is  only  2  per  cent  as  this  is  a  very  complicated procedure.
• The entire process of transplantation can cost around Rs1.5 lakh. However, the authorities pay a meagre amount of Rs25,000 to the contractors.
• Technology to transplant trees does not always work. Moreover, transplanting old trees is always a risk due to stress and shock that a full-grown tree experiences when it is transplanted.
• The chance of survival for old trees is 50-50. Even if a tree is successfully transplanted, it takes a minimum of 10 years to grow a full canopy.
• Tropical trees, in any case, are not conducive to transplantation. These trees have deep roots because the water table is low. Most native trees, too, cannot survive the shock of having their roots cut or pared.
• It is also a very costly process. From start to finish, a full-grown tree with a big canopy can take up to Rs 1 lakh to isolate, transport, acclimatize, and transplant.

Way Forward:

• Civic officials should dedicate a separate department for tree transplantation, which should include experts in the field as it is a highly-skilled job.
• The existing  vegetation  stock  and  urban  forests  can  offer  some  protection  against  such  effects  of  heat  Apart  from  being  a  bulwark  against  dust  and  pollution,  trees  are  also  home  to  insects,  birds  and  ground mammals, providing shade and nutrients, and support the growth of grasses around them. When a tree is cut, all these things are lost. In addition, native trees also support a unique micro-biome – microorganisms in a particular environment – that will be lost with their felling.
• Scientists and  environmentalists  have  also  called  for  the  redevelopment  project  to  be  redesigned  to  ensure  no large-scale felling of trees has to happen. “There is a need to find urban design solutions where it is possible to protect the tree grid and build around it.
• Construction agencies have to adopt sustainable methods and integrate them with new design principles, instead of continuing in a business-as-usual mode.

While the idea of tree transplantation is gaining traction with various civic agencies and municipalities going after it, it still remains a technical and complex procedure.  Therefore, tree transplantation should be seen as the last option. The first option should be to save the tree at any cost. The policymaker as well as society should not view trees as obstructions in urbanisation and development.