Thanks to the efforts of Osai,an environmental organization, which specializes in relocating trees, scores of trees, which have faced the threat of axe have been saved in the past.
Osai Syed, the savior of trees is at it again. The environmental organization is being roped in to save the “green lungs” or trees, which would be facing the threat of axe ,as part of the ongoing Coimbatore-Sathy road expansion project, which has already been kick started by the state Highways department.
“We have identified over 60 big trees and 22 small trees for relocation and re plantation in 2.5 kms stretch between Amman kovil to Vishwasapuram out of the total 160 trees. And these trees would be replanted in school, colleges and public lands and parks wherever space is available “said Syed of Osai.
“It has been heartening to learn that the Highways department has come forward to save these trees on its own and approached us to enumerate the trees in this stretch, which could be replanted. The trees which would be replanted have been marked and the work would start soon’ Syed told Simplicity.
Coimbatore, which is in the lap of Mother Nature due to its proximity to Western Ghats has lost tree cover owing to the road expansion projects, and fast urbanization taking place in the city and its environs.
“Over 2,500 road -side trees have been felled during the road expansion projects in the past few years alone. Trees which serve as green lungs of the environment, were felled when expansion projects of Avinashi road, Pollachi road, Tiruchy road, and Mettupalayam road were carried out"
"The large number of trees which faced the axe set us environmentalists to do a rethink on this subject which is posing a huge threat to trees and its sustenance. And we came out with the plan of relocating and replanting the trees ,which faced the threat of axe and I hope we have covered some distance in that aspect" the environmentalist said.
"Thanks to re plantation measures taken up scores of trees have been saved in recent time which faced the threat of axe due to developmental projects, around the city” Syed said.
Syed, also suggests that the High ways department could call for tenders to replant and relocate tree when road expansion projects are being implemented. "Anyway" the Highways department floats tender for felling of trees during the expansion work, which is a standard practice. What we suggest is it can also call for tenders to relocate and replant the trees. And this practice would lead to saving the trees and saving the environment in a big way “Syed said.
Volunteers who want to contribute their mite in saving and relocating trees could contact Osai foundation at the mobile no: 8428859911