Bengaluru: In a first of its kind exercise to be initiated by BMRCL, around 150 trees will be translocated during the construction of R.V. Road to Electronics City metro corridor.
During the Phase 1 the BMRCL had experimented little with the idea, but it intends to do so in a large scale in this stretch of Phase 2.
The latest newsletter uploaded on its official website has a mention about tree plantation. It stated, “Construction of viaduct and stations between HSR Layout and R.V. Road of 6.34 km length (Package-3) is awarded to a contractor. Road widening work in the stretch between R.V. Road to Ragigudda is in progress. Tree Transplantation work is also in progress."
BBMP Assistant Conservator of Forests, Satyanarayan said, “Around 150 trees of varying species have been chosen for transplantation along the metro corridor. This will begin from Laxman Rao park at R.V. Road, towards Silk Board. This project is happening only on Reach 5 and nowhere else in Phase 2.”
However, there appears to be some discrepancy in statements by both the departments. While the Metro newsletter says the process has begun and has a picture of the staff in the process of translocating a tree, BBMP says it is yet to begin.
“We have given approval but work has not started as we are yet to locate proper zones for the metro officials to shift the tree. We cannot determine success rate of the project unless we determine the changed location for the tree," Satyanarayan added.
Success and expenditure
Neither BMRCL nor BBMP's Forest Department were able to provide the overall estimate for tree transplantation on Reach 5.
However, Appu Rao, Deputy Conservator of Forests, said, “Approximately, transplanting each tree costs anywhere between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000. The expenditure increases along with the distance of the new location. We have not set aside a specific amount in the BBMP but will spend whatever is needed for this process. It's a first for us as well."
Many a times the trees do not survive the transplantation. The purpose of this process and the efforts, would be to ensure the green cover is not reduced by development.
As for success rates, Vijay Nishanth, a member of Namma Metro Tree Committee, said, “The success rate depends on maintenance. There is not much of a reference available in Bengaluru, with respect to transplantation. If the tree is shifted within a five km radius, where the soil is the same, it tends to survive.”
“At times, one can take a chance and go beyond that distance where survival may or may not happen. It all comes back to how it is maintained by the department concerned after transplantation,” Nishanth said.
