Hyderabad: A month after 72 trees were relocated to a graveyard at Manikonda village, volunteers involved in the translocation say 71 have survived making this a feasible option for future developmental works. The volunteers noted the roots have taken a firm hold while new leaves have started showing up from the pruned branches, indicating that the trees can sustain and survive and perform photosynthesis on their own.
This was the first time that two species, bottle brush and thellamadi. were translocated in Hyderabad and they have responded well. But nature conservationists say the government must plan ahead to achieve a higher rate of success for the translocation of trees in future. “Monsoon is the best time to relocate trees as the root balls — the mud caught by the roots — tend to remain intact due to the moisture. In other seasons they fall off easily,” said Mr Uday Krishna of Vata Foundation who was involved in the translocation.
Translocation is turning out to be the most feasible option for the city where development works have been killing most of the green cover. “We have lost a lot of beautiful trees. Translocation is the only option because we need fully grown trees for this city,” says Mr Krishna said. A grown tree is considered equivalent to 100 saplings because it can survive better, needs less care and can absorb more pollutants. Translocation of these from Malaysian Township at Kukatpally was carried out on June 25.
