5,700 Mature Trees Being Transplanted for Dwarka Expressway!

One of the biggest tree transplantation exercises is going to be done in NCR with 5,700 mature trees being uprooted and transplanted to make way for the Dwarka Expressway which will ease the life of NCR residents by providing another way to Gurgaon. This task will be completed by NHAI (National Highway Authority of India) in about 3-4 months. However, experts suggest that the timeline be extended to save a maximum number of trees.

The process of transplantation includes identifying the tree to be transplanted, followed by treating it for termites and insect infestation. Prior to transplantation, roots are cut, and fertilizer is sprayed on leaves. Soil is backfilled and treatment is done to prevent initiation of fungal infection. The trees are then left for 20-25 days and later scaffolded and packed. The filled soil is removed, and the tree is left for around 15 more days to allow it to survive on its own. It is then transplanted to another location. DDA has allotted 7 parks in Dwarka for transplantation of the 5,717 trees that will be uprooted for the construction of the Dwarka expressway. The contractor involved in transplanting them will also maintain them for 1 year. On average, transplanted trees take 1-1.5 years to regrow completely.

With work already starting on the transplantation drive, Barthal Chowk in Dwarka is one of the locations where transplantation work can be seen. Some of the transplanted trees have even shown visible fresh offshoots! NHAI officials are ensuring that the transplantation drive is handled perfectly and in an efficient manner. This can also be attributed to the fact that there is a lot of public concern about the survival and care accorded to the transplanted trees. NHAI has also directed the project developer to provide excellent care for the transplanted trees.

The transplantation process is being handled by Ajay Nagar. His accolades include successful plantation for the Lucknow Metro project as well as the Sitarganj road project in Uttarakhand in the past 3 years. The model which has been successfully replicate earlier is being followed. This results in a survival rate of 80-85%. Since the growing of a sapling to form a fully-grown tree will require a lot of time, utmost care is to be taken while transplanting a fully grown tree to reduce the effect of deforestation for development. The trees are being transplanted in sector parks as well as on roads in Dwarka.

Approximately INR 30,000 is spent on transplantation of 1 tree. The NHAI has kept a budget of INR 70 Crore for this transplantation project. According to reports, DDA will plant 90,350 trees across various areas in Delhi as part of a compensatory afforestation.