Chennai: Ahead of World Environment Day, the Tree Ambulance team on Tuesday conducted a demonstration programmed elaborating on how to relocate trees and displayed equipment used for treating sick trees. The tree ambulance was flagged off in the city on May 22 by M. Venkiah Naidu, Vice President, as part of International Biological Diversity Day celebrations.
The brainchild of Abdul Ghani, often referred to as the Green Man of India, these tree ambulances will help revive trees in the city. From providing first aid treatment to shifting trees if necessary, these ambulances provide a number of services including aiding in tree plantation and uprooting dead trees.
Equipped with plant experts and helpers who are armed with gardening tools, water, manure and pesticide, their services come free of cost.
Abdul Ghani plans to take this venture to every state in the nation. He explains, “Starting from tomorrow (June 5), the tree ambulance will travel across all the districts in Tamil Nadu followed by all the states in the country and finally reach New Delhi in two months. In all the destinations, volunteers of the Tree Ambulance team will stop at schools, colleges and other institutions and educate the public on the green cover and how to take care of trees.”
The tour will begin with re-plantation of trees at SAF Games Village in Koyambedu at 11 am. Talks are also on to provide a green siren for these tree ambulances.
The services can be availed through the helpline number 9941006786. Interested people can also register themselves as volunteers in their
websitewww.treeambulance.org.
