Kolkata's Tree Ambulance Rescues 110 Trees from Nail Damage in Intensive 72-Day Operation
In a significant environmental conservation effort, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation's (KMC) innovative tree ambulance service has successfully removed nails from 110 trees across the city over the past 72 days. The service, launched on December 5, has been addressing critical issues of tree abuse and neglect, particularly in commercial areas where trees are often used as makeshift supports for stalls and advertisements.
Century-Old Trees at Wellington Square Severely Damaged
The operation included a focused intervention at Wellington Square, home to a winter garments market. Here, eight century-old trees were found to be badly punctured with nails and wrapped in plastic sheets, primarily after the recent departure of Bhutia sellers. Sanjay Jaisingh, a dedicated tree hugger, city-based tree transplanting expert, and the in-charge of the tree ambulance, described the scene as shocking during his first visit last week.
"I noticed many nails were hammered down to hang winter garments in front of these stalls," Jaisingh explained. "Even for beautification of their stalls, some sellers wrapped up several tree trunks with plastic sheets, but unfortunately, during leaving the stall, they did not bother to remove it."
Comprehensive Treatment and Awareness Campaigns
Volunteers from the tree ambulance worked tirelessly to extract almost all the nails from the affected trees. Following the removal, they applied anti-bacterial fungicides to treat the wounds and prevent infections. Despite these efforts, a spot visit on Sunday revealed that wounds and scars on the tree trunks are yet to heal completely, highlighting the long-term damage caused by such practices.
To prevent future incidents, the team conducted an awareness campaign among the remaining winter garment sellers at Wellington Square. Md Sanaullah Ansari, a woollen garments seller from Dwarka in Delhi who was clearing unsold stocks, acknowledged the initiative, stating, "We were told not to put nails any more on the trees, and we agreed accordingly."
Expanding Services and Future Plans
The mobile emergency service, designed to aid the city's ailing trees, already offers a range of services including diagnosis, treatment, relocation, planting, and public awareness. Jaisingh noted that trees transplanted last year are receiving periodic care and treatment. Looking ahead, the team is now targeting the removal of rusted iron cages embedded in tree trunks, which have led to stunted growth. For this purpose, two angle grinders were recently purchased to facilitate the delicate operation.
The electric mini truck ambulance is equipped with an extensive array of tools and equipment, such as:
- Tree pruning chainsaw
- Earth auger and brush cutter
- Water sprinkler and pumps (small and heavy-duty)
- Telescopic ladder and portable generator
- Helmets, rope, GI cable, and garden hose pipe
- Carpentry tools and essential garden tools
Proactive Measures for Upcoming Events
The tree ambulance team is also planning proactive drives in other areas. A volunteer mentioned spotting nails hammered into trees at Salt Lake's book fair ground, with a cleanup drive scheduled soon. Additionally, Jaisingh emphasized plans for an awareness campaign before the election season to discourage the hanging of campaign-related hoardings and banners on trees, which can cause similar damage.
Residents and organizations can assist distressed trees by calling the toll-free number 18001236219 for immediate assistance from the tree ambulance service.
