Green drive in New Town to plant 50k trees this year
Kolkata: The
(NKDA) is set to undertake a
across New Town, planting 50,000 flower-bearing tall trees according to soil suitability.Officials stated that
with an average height of 15 ft will be planted on the roadside, median dividers, and other vacant open green spaces.
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"Trees selected for plantation include Bakul, Krishnachura, Radhachura, Cassia, Bilati Jarul, Ashoke, Kadam, Janglibadam, Shimul, Karanj, Chhatim, Sirish, Arjun, Swarnachampa, and Mahogany," said an official.NKDA has started the process to engage agencies for the plantation drive.
They will be tasked with planting the trees within a month, and nursing them for three months.Officials mentioned that pits measuring 2 ftx2 ft will be dug and filled with earth mixed with the required fertiliser for planting the saplings. The saplings will initially be supported with bamboo sticks to aid their growth.Over the years, as an initiative to increase greenery, NKDA has planted small- and medium-sized trees, like coconut, palm, and cherry blossom, off the main arterial road. These trees do not have very large canopies.Green activists emphasised that not only plantation but also proper maintenance and upkeep of the saplings are necessary for them to survive and fully grow. Ecologic — a New Town-based nature lovers' forum, which planted close to 3,500 trees in different areas of New Town in the last three years — conducted an experiment to ensure that the trees receive regular water to survive the summer heat, by by planting water bottles next to the saplings with a tiny hole at the bottom, allowing water to ooze out and keep the soil moist for an extended period.
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