(NMC) is taking a step forward to encourage project proponents to conduct transplantation of trees that hampering its projects. Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari, in the recently held tree committee meeting, instructed Garden Department to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on tree transplantation by major project proponents in city.

 

This step will help to overcome tree felling for future projects. “Compensatory plantation is compulsory before felling any tree for a project. Now, we are planning to ask project proponents to undertake tree transplantation along with compensatory plantation to avoid felling of trees in city,” Ganesh Rathod, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Garden Department, told The Hitavada. The Garden Department will table the SOP in the next tree committee meeting and Municipal Commissioner will take decision about any changes in it or not.

 

The SOP will contain many factors like which species of trees can be transplanted; what should be the age group of trees; what should be the procedure of transplantation; the process of care and for how much time period; and many more. According to Rathod, the environment experts and scientists will be also included in the process of transplantation in near future. The committee approved the stand for the SOP and soon city will have its own SOP for transplantation. In last few months, NMC performed many tree transplantation process in city with the help of specialised machine purchased by it in June this year.

 

Despite specialised machinery many transplanted trees have failed to survive. “Transplantation is a highly technical task, and Nagpur’s climate makes it even more challenging. Once a tree is transplanted, it requires the highest level of care.

 

It is important to understand that as per NMC, transplantation is not a substitute for compensatory plantation—it is an additional effort to save an existing tree,” said Kaustav Chatterjee, Founder, Green Vigil Foundation. “Once permission for tree cutting is granted, the tree will be felled. By opting for transplantation, NMC is making a sincere, last-ditch attempt to save the tree, and this effort deserves full support. NMC is also open to guidance from experts with proven experience in tree transplantation,” Chatterjee added.