Chennai: A unique ‘Tree Ambulance’ service – an initiative to provide care to trees besides spread green cover, was launched by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu here on Wednesday.

The service launched for the first time in the state, aims at providing first aid treatment to trees, uprooted tree planting, seed bank, seed ball distribution, plant distribution, aiding tree plantation, shifting trees, survey of trees and removal of dead trees. The ambulance can be availed through the helpline number – 9941006786. People can register themselves as volunteers in their website- www.treeambulance.org.

Expressing delight over flagging off the ‘Tree Ambulance’ on the occasion of International Day for Biological Diversity 2019, Mr Venkaiah said that such out of the box solutions, coupled with community participation, can go a long way in conserving and increasing our green cover. He commended K. Abdul Ghani and Suresh for their efforts in setting up the Tree Ambulance.

After cyclones Vardah and Gaja uprooted hundreds of trees in Tamil Nadu, the green cover got reduced drastically. The present initiative will help the state breathe easy. The SASA group under the guidance of Abdul Ghani and founder of Tree Ambulance foundation introduced the service. A plant expert besides helpers who are armed with gardening tools, water, manure and pesticide, would travel in the Tree Ambulance.

“The idea of a tree ambulance is to save trees by caring for sick ones and helping bring back uprooted trees to their feet. With rising pollution levels and diminishing green space, it is vital for fully grown trees to be nurtured and protected. We have the complete equipment including latest mechanical tools, fungicides and fertilizers,” says Suresh Krishna Jadhav, founder, SASA Group.

In phase two, SASA will completely automise the process of tree lifting and placing. Currently it is semi-automatic. “This should happen by December. Our ultimate goal is to set up a tree ambulance in each district of India and develop strong volunteer community to support this program,” he added.

Courtesy : DECCAN CHRONICLE.