Kolkata got its first tree ambulance on Friday. This makes Kolkata one of the few Indian cities to have the facility, set up to address trees in distress or needing emergency attention. City-based environment experts have welcomed the initiative, pointing out such a facility is important for a city that already has minimal greenery compared to major Indian cities.
The tree ambulance, launched by Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) with the MLA funds of Debasish Kumar, who also happens to be city’s mayor-in- council member in charge of parks and square, will be run by a non-profit. The ambulance, manufactured with a cost of Rs 12.5 lakh, is free for services in public places.
One has to dial 18001236219, a toll free number, to avail the facility, the KMC said.
“This is a first-of-its-kind facility not only in Kolkata, but also in eastern India. We have launched the facility according to the recommendations of a tree census being already carried out in the city. This is a pilot initiative and will be expanded once the demand grows,” says Kumar. The ambulance was launched at Rabindra Sarobar, one of the few green verges in the city. Environment experts and several councillors of the civic body, along with senior officials, were present on the occasion.
“This is an extremely important addition to city’s environment repertoire. Kolkata is already crippled with less than optimum greenery required for an international city, and the lowest among Indian metro cities.Hence it’s extremely important to properly maintain and manage whatever greenery that we have. The tree ambulance is expected to play a key role in this aspect,” observed a city based environment expert.
City short on green
According to the latest UN figures, Kolkata has been warming up most rapidly among 20 cities and regions in the world undertaken for the study – 2.67 degrees Celsius in the last six decades. Maintenance of greenery is critical to keep the temperature rise within check.
The India State of Forest Report states that Kolkata saw a roughly 30 per cent drop in forest cover between 2011 and 2021. There was marginal recovery in 2023, the report states, but the green spread is still little as the city falls far short of the World Health Organisation’s recommended 9 sq. meters of green space per urban resident.
The city faces challenges like development-triggered felling, pollution and cyclones. Lack of trees impact biodiversity. While conservation efforts, particularly planting drives, are underway, much needs to be done to prop up the city’s green quotient.
Ambulance on call
“The ambulance is mainly mandated to respond to SOS calls for trees being uprooted, or becoming highly tilted, or a public risk, or if it is storm-hit. It will provide stabilisation to affected trees, pruning, safe relocation and even treatment through biocides and fungicides as required,” said Sanjay Jaisingh, representing non-profit Mithri Mitti, which will run the facility.
Singh pointed out that the ambulance would be fitted with all the equipment and chemicals for treating the trees.
“We plan to start work with the trees that are already found to be affected according to our study reports,” said a senior official of KMC. Surveys show that around 5 per cent trees, on average, stand highly tilted in the city and need immediate attention as they may turn into a risk during and after any storm or cyclone.