In a pioneering move for urban ecology, Kolkata has rolled out Eastern India's inaugural Tree Ambulance service. This free, mobile healthcare unit is dedicated to providing on-site treatment for diseased, damaged, and uprooted trees across the city's key areas. Launched on December 5, 2025, the initiative represents a significant step in proactive urban green cover preservation, especially when air quality in major Indian cities remains a pressing concern.
How Kolkata's Tree Ambulance Service Works
The service operates much like a traditional ambulance but for the botanical world. Citizens can report ailing trees by calling a dedicated helpline. Upon receiving a call, the mobile unit, staffed by a team of botanists, forestry experts, gardeners, volunteers, and tree surgeons, is dispatched to the location for inspection and immediate care.
The primary mission is to preserve the existing green canopy, particularly trees lining major roads and in fast-developing neighbourhoods. The challenges are manifold in urban settings. A Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) official highlighted common issues, stating, "Problems like concrete encasement around tree bases, pollution, and construction damage are prevalent in cities, making survival tough for trees."
Comprehensive Treatment and Conservation Services
The Tree Ambulance offers a wide array of scientific interventions aimed at reviving and protecting the city's "green lungs." Its services are not limited to emergency care but extend to comprehensive tree management.
Key services include:
- Immediate treatment for diseased or pest-infested trees.
- Specialised procedures for trees with hollow trunks.
- First-aid for plants and physical damage repair.
- Replanting uprooted trees and aiding their recovery.
- Improving soil conditions and restoring nutrient balance.
- Conducting tree surveys and removing dead or hazardous trees.
- Seed banking, seed-ball distribution, and free sapling distribution.
- Assistance in carefully shifting trees when necessary.
A Concept Rooted in National Inspiration
While a first for Eastern India, the concept of a Tree Ambulance originated in Chennai. India's very first Tree Ambulance was launched on May 27, 2019, by the then Vice President, M. Venkaiah Naidu. The pioneer behind the Chennai model is Dr. K. Abdul Ghani, renowned as the "Green Man of India."
The Kolkata unit aims to emulate this success by employing modern scientific methods for urban tree conservation. An official involved remarked, "The launch in Kolkata will help preserve the city's essential green lungs and promote scientific methods for urban tree conservation." This initiative underscores a growing recognition of the critical role trees play in mitigating pollution, providing shade, and maintaining ecological balance in densely populated metropolitan areas.
By offering free, expert care directly where trees are struggling, Kolkata's Tree Ambulance service empowers residents to become active participants in safeguarding their environment. It transforms tree conservation from a passive hope into an actionable, responsive civic service.
