48 per cent trees transplanted by MMRC are now dead wood

Mumbai: Even as the government continues to make tall promises of maintaining city’s green cover, records show that the survival rate of transplanted trees remains low.

Forty-eight per cent of the trees transplanted by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) since January 2018 have died. The MMRC has transplanted a total of 5,443 trees, of which, 2,644 have shown no signs of sprouting.

Transplanting is a term used to describe digging and replanting of trees from one location to a new location.

Experts have blamed the lack of scientific approach, poor methodology and improper post-transplantation care for the sorry state of affairs. “There have been four visits since January 2018. However, the survival rate of the transplanted trees has been decreasing after every visit,” said activist Zoru Bathena, who is part of the Bombay high court-appointed committee to inspect the tree transplantation site of MMRC.

Over 2,700 trees in Aarey are facing the imminent threat of removal, as part of the construction work for the Metro 3 corridor. Of these, at least 464 trees are likely to be transplanted.

“The site selected for transplantation is unsuitable. The differences in soil, logistic issues and the transportation time lead to rise in the mortality rate. Though the MMRC has experts, it is not known if all guidelines are followed. If more than 50 per cent trees are dying, then transplantation serves hardly any purpose,” says horticulturist Robin Fernandes.

Since January this year, 12,310 trees have been proposed for removal to make way for various infrastructure-related projects.

Maximum number of such trees — 5,566 — is likely to be removed for the Metro projects.

At least 2,227 of them are likely to be transplanted.

In addition, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link  (MTHL) project would require the removal of 1004 trees, of which, 550 could be transplanted.