On one hand when city planners are completely advocating infrastructure development as face of growth, on the other hand 88-year-old ‘Treeman’ of Nagpur, Baba Deshpande claimed that 98.40 lakh square feet of land in city is covered with gattu (paver blocks) which is restricting percolation of water into the ground. “In the name of development, the civic body laid 375 kms of cement roads throughout Nagpur. Covering both sides of the roads with paver blocks are restricting water percolation which is affecting the ground water table,” said Baba Deshpande who planted more than 12,000 trees in Nagpur city. Deshpande himself conducted a survey of total area covered under paver blocks in city and recommended to plant trees on road sides to percolate water.

 

“Development is the need of the hours but sustainable development is the key to keep our city green forever. If Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) remove paver blocks from one kilometres stretch from every cement road then we can plant 1,000 saplings on a single side of a road and 1,000 on the other side. Planting trees on road sides help to percolate water,” said Deshpande He also informed that if the civic body plant 1,000 sapling in every road stretch then the administration can easily plant 15 lakh trees on city roads.

 

Deshpande also met with Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar and put the demand to remove one kilometre paver blocs from every road stretch for water percolation. “While placing paver blocks, the contractors uses cement mixture to settle it evenly but it is the main reason behind choking of ground. Cementing of roads is the main reason behind increasing temperatures in Nagpur city which is also reducing the water table. If we really want to develop, we have to come forward and plant trees for our better future,” said Deshpande. According to urban planners and climate scientists, densely planted trees can significantly lower surface and ambient temperatures in cities. The not only provide shade but also cool the air through a process known as transpiration, claimed the ‘Treeman’.